A/HRC/44/52 them that might keep them safe. They often work alone on stories, in dangerous environments and without health and travel insurance or safety equipment, such as flak jackets and helmets. In order to save money, they may stay in unguarded hotels and ride on insecure public transportation. They do not benefit from security advisers or lawyers who can assist them when they are detained or charged with wrongdoing by the authorities. They are therefore much more vulnerable to attacks, violence and torture without any kind of safety net to protect them. VI. Reporting on gender-based violence against women 64. The media, including both male and female journalists, plays a fundamental role in reporting on gender-based violence against women by highlighting it as a systematic and widespread phenomenon with a focus on State responsibility to prevent and combat it, particularly if they report in a gender- and victim-sensitive manner. The media is crucial to changing attitudes related to gender-based violence against women, as was demonstrated through its reporting on femicide, which led to the formation of popular movements such as #NiUnaMenos and #MeToo. Media reporting on such issues is an important game changer, as it can demonstrate how widespread gender-based violence really is. The media has the power to change public opinion and in doing so can put pressure on Governments to introduce changes to law and practice to combat it. 65. Reporting on gender-based violence is complex and sensitive and often requires discussion of issues that are deemed taboo and publicly highlighting intimate and distressing matters. In countries where tradition and religion play an important role in everyday life, reporting on such issues can be difficult and may carry certain risks. Women journalists who report on issues of gender or women’s rights often face attacks and abuse. 66. Women journalists face unique threats in special circumstances and in particular contexts, such as in times of crisis, during election periods, at public demonstrations and in conflict zones. While progress has been made in terms of training, self-regulation, the establishment of journalistic codes of ethics and media monitoring, much remains to be done, particularly in view of the emerging fundamentalist discourse and the global backlash against women’s rights. VII. Application of the international legal framework on the protection of women journalists A. International legal framework and State obligations 67. Freedom of expression as a key human right is enshrined in article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The latter guarantees the right of everyone to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his or her choice. The right is applicable to both female and male journalists as provided for in article 3 of the Covenant. In addition to these important, but gender neutral, provisions of international law, additional protection is provided by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and a number of regional instruments. Such instruments play a key role in ensuring that the right of women journalists to enjoy freedom of expression without gender-based discrimination or violence is protected. 68. In the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted by Member States in 1995, women and the media were recognized among its 12 critical areas of concern. Two strategic objectives are set out in section J of the Beijing Platform for Action: the first is to increase the participation and access of women to expression and decision-making in and through the media and new technologies of communication; and the second is to promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of women in the media. 13