‘They see the media as the enemy.’ A lesson from a deported journalist – U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

Report on the Deportation of a Journalist and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

H3>Introduction: A Case Study in Justice and Fundamental Freedoms

The case of a journalist detained and subsequently deported from the United States provides a critical lens through which to examine challenges to achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The individual’s experience, from his arrest while reporting to his eventual removal to El Salvador, directly intersects with international commitments regarding justice, equality, and safe working conditions, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

H3>Challenges to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The journalist’s account raises significant concerns regarding the principles enshrined in SDG 16, which calls for promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.

• Access to Justice (Target 16.3): The subject reported a profound sense of injustice within the legal process. Despite an initial grant of bail, it was later revoked after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) argued he was a “danger for the community” for reporting on their operations. He expressed frustration that individuals suspected of serious crimes were often released on bond, whereas he, having committed no crime, was kept in detention. This experience suggests a potential failure to ensure equal access to justice for all.
• Protection of Fundamental Freedoms (Target 16.10): The core of the case revolves around the fundamental freedom of the press. The journalist believes his detention and deportation were a form of “retaliation” for his work. He recounts being questioned by an officer, “Why are you following us, why are you chasing us?” and states his belief that ICE perceives the media as an “enemy.” This adversarial stance directly undermines the goal of ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms.
• Institutional Accountability (Target 16.6): The report indicates a perception of institutional overreach and abuse of power. The journalist identifies himself as a “victim” of this abuse, suggesting a lack of accountability within the involved agency. The development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions is a cornerstone of SDG 16, and this case highlights a potential deficit in that area.

H3>Implications for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The case also underscores issues of inequality, particularly as they relate to immigrant populations, a central concern of SDG 10.

1. Inequality of Outcome (Target 10.3): The journalist’s status as an immigrant appears to have been a significant factor in his treatment. The disparity he observed between his case and those of citizens accused of crimes points to an inequality of outcome within the justice system, challenging the goal of ensuring equal opportunity.
2. Vulnerability of Migrants (Target 10.7): The deportation of a working journalist contributes to a climate of precariousness for immigrant professionals. Such actions can deter others from performing vital public services, such as reporting, thereby impeding the goal of facilitating safe and responsible migration and mobility.

H3>Violations of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The right to a safe and secure working environment, as outlined in SDG 8, was severely compromised in this case.

• Safe and Secure Working Environments (Target 8.8): Journalism, by its nature, requires access and the ability to report without fear of reprisal. The subject’s arrest, detention, and deportation for performing his job duties represent a fundamental violation of a safe working environment. His warning to other immigrant journalists that “ICE is very aggressive” and that they should “be careful” illustrates a hostile work environment that is contrary to the principles of SDG 8.
• Journalism as a Profession: The subject described journalism as one of the “most wonderful professions,” dedicated to reporting on “good things, bad things, everything.” Treating this work as a threat undermines the legitimacy of the profession and the right to decent work.

H3>Conclusion

The journalist’s experience, from holding onto hope for justice until the moment his plane landed in El Salvador to his current optimistic but cautious outlook, serves as a stark report on the challenges facing press freedom and institutional justice. His case demonstrates a clear conflict with the objectives of SDGs 16, 10, and 8, highlighting how actions against individuals can have profound implications for global commitments to justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – This goal is central to the article, which discusses issues of justice, abuse of power by authorities (ICE), the journalist’s detention, and threats to press freedom.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article touches upon this goal by highlighting the vulnerability of an immigrant journalist and the discriminatory treatment he perceives from authorities, suggesting inequality in the justice and immigration systems based on profession and immigration status.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. The journalist’s work involves informing his community, which is a form of ensuring public access to information. His arrest and deportation for doing his job represent a direct threat to fundamental freedoms, specifically press freedom. He states, “it’s my job to inform my community,” but faced retaliation for it.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The journalist expresses his belief in the justice system but feels it failed him. He contrasts his case with that of “criminals — people suspected of murder — are out on bond,” while his bond was revoked despite having committed no crime. This points to a failure in ensuring equal access to justice.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The article implies a lack of accountability and an abuse of power within ICE. The journalist states, “they are abusing the power now. I was a victim of that,” suggesting that the institution acted without proper oversight or accountability.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices. The journalist feels he was targeted and treated differently because of his profession. He says, “Everything was different with me. Everything was different and horrible, because I’m a journalist.” This suggests a discriminatory practice by ICE against him, leading to an unequal outcome (deportation).
   • Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. The journalist’s experience of being “deported like a criminal with nothing in my hand” highlights a migration process that is not perceived as safe, orderly, or respectful of individual rights and circumstances, particularly for those performing a public service like journalism.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 16

   • Indicator 16.10.1: Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists… The journalist’s detention can be seen as an instance of “arbitrary detention” of a journalist. He was arrested while working, and he believes his bond was revoked not for any legal reason but as a form of retaliation by ICE to “keep me in jail.” His case would be a data point for this indicator.
   • Indicator 16.3.3: Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism… The journalist’s entire legal battle with ICE, including his bail hearing and deportation process, is an example of accessing a formal dispute resolution mechanism. His negative experience and outcome highlight potential inequities and lack of fairness within that system.

2. Indicators for SDG 10

   • Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law. The journalist’s testimony is a direct report of feeling discriminated against and harassed by ICE. He believes he was targeted specifically because of his work (“You give us a hard time”), which constitutes harassment based on his professional activities.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: pressfreedomtracker.us