Do rules on the protection of journalists extend to media workers engaged in campus and student broadcasting organisations?

Knežević Bojović, Ana and Ćorić, Vesna and Matić Bošković, Marina (2016) Do rules on the protection of journalists extend to media workers engaged in campus and student broadcasting organisations? In: On Student and University Broadcasting. Univerzitet u Novom Sadu, Novi Sad, pp. 35-51. ISBN 978-86-499-0213-8

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Abstract

Free flow of information and ideas lies at the heart of the very notion of democracy and is crucial to effective respect for human rights. Freedom of expression and the right to information are exercised, inter alia, through pluralist media – newspapers, audio and visual broadcasting systems, but also through electronic media. An ideal broadcasting system comprises the public service, commercial and community broadcasting. Community broadcasting responds to the social and cultural needs of a defined community, usually in opposition to mainstream media. Campus and student broadcasting organizations are a form of community broadcasting, and are also a powerful educational tool. Student or campus broadcasting organizations can therefore simultaneously empower learners and expand democracy. In recent years, media workers have been increasingly targeted around the world and there is disquieting evidence of the scale of such threats. In an attempt to mitigate this problem, global and regional organizations have developed legal instruments and mechanisms to advance the protection of journalists. On global level, the United Nations are at the forefront of these efforts, while, on the regional level, Europe has developed most advanced legal instruments aimed at the protection of journalists. Threats similar to those sustained by media workers employed by public or commercial media can also affect those engaged in campus or student radio and TV stations. This can be particularly problematic if national legislations recognize the necessary level of protection only to registered journalists. The paper will analyse global and regional standards for the protection of journalists and media workers as well as best practice models from European countries. The authors will investigate whether national legislations and jurisprudence protect media workers in student broadcasting systems in the same manner as registered journalists and formulate recommendations for improvement of legislation and practice based on this analysis.

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