Targeted violence against journalists is on the rise and in January 2012 alone, 10 journalists were killed worldwide. But why are journalists finding it more rather than less difficult to perform their job in the modern age of information dissemination? In what ways are they repressed or targeted in their work? What is the role of the State regarding impunity for the perpetrators of violence against journalists? And how can we stop this?

These questions and issues were discussed during a public event organised by the Centre of Governance and Human Rights.

The panel consisted of:

Christof Heyns, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;

Celia Davies, former Cambridge graduate and Project Development Manager at Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety in Azerbaijan;

Pansy Tlakula, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;

Frank La Rue, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;

Joel Simon, Executive Director, Committee for the Protection of Journalists

Moderator: William Horsely, former BBC correspondent and UK Chairman, Association of European Journalists

Chair: Sharath Srinivasan, Director, Centre of Governance and Human Rights