Press freedom in accreditation procedures
Initiative description: Systematically including principles of press freedom in accreditation procedures for media representatives to promote a distribution of accreditation quotas that protect the rights of media representatives to freedom of opinion and expression without discrimination.
We systematically include principles of press freedom in accreditation procedures for media representatives to promote and protect the rights of media representatives with regards to freedom of opinion and expression without discrimination. As with the previous FIFA Club World Cup 2019™ and FIFA Club World Cup 2020™ which took place in Qatar, FIFA is implementing an open and transparent accreditation process for journalists interested in attending the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™ and the FIFA World Cup 2022™.
Furthermore, an accreditation and filming permission policy, that takes into account the joint commitments by the tournament organisers to ensure press freedom in line with the highest international standards, is currently being developed. These efforts take place against the backdrop of the State of Qatar’s revision of its press freedom legislation.
In addition, FIFA continues to operate its grievance mechanism for human rights defenders and media representatives, through which journalists can raise potential concerns with FIFA.