Key resource
Education Under Attack: a guidance note for journalists and photographers

Changes in the media market after the end of the cold war, the development of new technologies and the hindering consequences of multiple economic crises have strengthened collaboration between journalists, photographers, videographers, and NGOs. Media reporting on conflict zones can play an enhanced role in helping civil society organisations (CSOs) to document attacks on education and CSO knowledge and connections could help journalists uncover important stories from the front lines. 

This brief encourages a systematic collaboration focused on collecting and sharing data that may help advance the right to education in emergency situations. It is part of a Right to Education Initiative (RTE) series of briefs designed to help civil society organisations monitor and advocate for the right to education, such as the guide on Monitoring Education Under Attack from a Human Rights Perspective.
Education Under Attack 2022

A global study of attacks on schools, universities, their students and staff, in 2020 and 2021.

Education is under attack around the world. From Afghanistan to Colombia, Mali to Thailand, students and teachers are killed, raped, and abducted, while schools and universities are bombed, burned down, and used for military purposes.

In 2020 and 2021, there were more than 5,000 reported attacks on education and incidents of military use of schools and universities, harming more than 9,000 students and educators in at least 85 countries. On average, six attacks on education or incidents of military use occurred each day.

In the 28 countries profiled in this report, at least 10 attacks on education occurred over the past 2 years.
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Documenting Education Under Attack: Five key lessons for collaborations between civil society organisations and journalists
Documenting the impact of conflict on education is a complex, time consuming and often dangerous process, whose consequences may be difficult to witness. Inthis context, the relationship between journalists and civil society organisations (CSOs) can be incredibly fruitful. They often share a common aim: to make the world aware of attacks on education and their immense costs to individuals, to communities, and across entire generations. Journalist-CSO partnerships can shed light on injustices, tell powerful human stories, and lead to redress and lasting change for those who have suffered. They can also have powerful mutual benefits; CSOs may receive reports of attacks on education or military use of facilities, while journalists can gain greater access to conflict zones and affected parties.
 
This brief provides insight from a roundtable discussion held between journalists and CSOs in September 2021, providing five lessons for effective collaboration which brings benefits to journalists, CSOs, and affected communities. 

 

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