Human Rights Council 59th session
Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Irene Khan.
Statement on behalf of the Media Freedom Coalition, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Riia Salsa-Audiffren
18 June 2025
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of XX member states of the Media Freedom Coalition.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for highlighting the vital role of freedom of expression in the context of elections. These freedoms are essential to democratic participation, transparency, accountability, and electoral credibility.
Growing attempts to suppress independent media, restrict freedom of expression, and spread disinformation and information manipulation around electoral processes — particularly through social media — are of deep concern to Coalition members.
We urge all states to ensure that journalists, media workers, and civil society can operate freely and safely before, during, and after elections. This includes refraining from Internet and digital platform shutdowns, arbitrary detention, censorship, manipulation, and other measures — including undue restrictions by state authorities — that restrict pluralistic discourse and free flow of information.
The Coalition members assure their full support to the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and her crucial work. We call for the protection of media independence and diversity, and stress the need for digital platforms to be transparent and accountable in handling electoral content.
We reaffirm our commitment to defending media freedom and upholding freedom of expression as a cornerstone of free and fair elections.
Thank you.