Background From the killing of journalists and the prevailing impunity for it to the high number of journalists being detained, and their increasing legal harassment and unlawful surveillance, media freedom and the safety of journalists is more and more at stake around the world. Summary In this context, the present briefer, developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and published in April 2023 features how international human rights standards and mechanisms help protect journalists. In particular, it presents the international legal framework applicable to safety of journalists and what constitutes a violation to the rights of journalists under that framework. It also gives an overview of the international human rights mechanisms (the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review and the Treaty Bodies) and examines how journalists can use them both for advocacy and protection purpose.