Media play a vital role in promoting human rights, democracy and development. A free press holds those in power to account. Especially in conflict situations, media bear powerful responsibility for informing the public and raising awareness in a fair and balanced way at the national and international levels.

But the media can also be misused to manipulate and mobilise people, to dehumanise potential victims, and to incite: The notorious role of Radio Mille Collines in inciting the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 is a notorious example.

The work of journalists is often difficult and dangerous. In many countries, press freedom and freedom of speech are restricted or violated. Intimidation, threats, censorship and violence – including murder – are used to silence critical voices. These constitute a fundamental breach of human rights. The scope of media freedom or its repression is a major yardstick for the general human rights situation in a country. This is why Austria has declared the protection of journalists as a priority concern during its tenure on the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Citing the example of South Africa under the apartheid regime, the media freedom activist Raymond Louw will illustrate the significance of freedom of expression and the media’s role in countering oppressive regimes and conflict situations. Raymond Louw, Alison Bethel McKenzie, the Executive Director of the International Press Institute (IPI), and Elias Bierdel from Peace Castle Schlaining will discuss the different roles media can play in conflicts, and the importance of empowering journalists and strengthening human rights by ensuring accurate, fair and balanced reporting.

Raymond Louw has received several awards for promoting and defending press freedom. He was particularly active in advocating the freedom of the press under the South African apartheid regime and worked for several newspapers. The editor, publisher and journalist is a member of various international institutions defending press freedom, such as the International Press Institute (IPI); South African PEN, which represents writers of the world, defends free expression and encourages literature; the Media Freedom Committee; and the Freedom of Expression Institute. He is former Africa representative of the World Press Freedom Committee, and a recipient of IPI’s World Press Freedom Hero award.