UNESCO has expressed concerns over Korea’s “anti-fake news” law, warning that efforts to fight disinformation must not come at the expense of freedom of the press or encourage censorship. In a statement recently sent in response to a Korea Times inquiry about the controversial law, UNESCO stressed that journalism needs to be “free, independent and pluralistic” and that “journalists must be able to work without fear of reprisals.” UNESCO is the primary U.N. agency with a specific mandate to foster freedom of expression, press freedom and the safety of journalists, viewing these causes as crucial for democracy and human rights. “UNESCO is concerned by the recent trend of growing self-censorship worldwide,” a spokesperson said, noting the sharp increases in media self-censorship in the Asia-Pacific region. “UNESCO stands ready to work with its member states to ensure that policies aimed at addressing mis- or disinformation are aligned with international standards on freedom of expression, including Article 19 of the human rights declaration,” the spokesperson said. Arti