United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent action to protect journalists and bring perpetrators of crimes against media workers to justice, warning that the continued targeting of reporters threatens press freedom and the public’s right to information.
In his message marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2, Guterres said journalists across the world continued to pay a heavy price for exposing the truth and holding those in power accountable.
He noted that media workers were increasingly facing harassment, surveillance, legal threats, physical attacks and imprisonment, with some being tortured or killed simply for carrying out their professional duties.
The UN chief revealed that at least 34 journalists had been killed over the past year, with six out of every seven killings going unpunished. He added that in conflict areas, the rate of impunity was close to 100 per cent.
Guterres described the failure to bring those responsible to justice as an injustice not only to the victims and their families but also to millions of people who depend on journalists for reliable information.
He stressed that journalism plays a central role in strengthening democracy, protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law, warning that attacks against media workers can silence important investigations and prevent the public from accessing information.
The Secretary-General called on governments to ensure that every crime committed against journalists is investigated and those responsible prosecuted. He also urged authorities to take action against online attacks, which have become another tool used to intimidate and silence reporters.
Guterres acknowledged that some progress had been made through the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, launched in 2012.
According to his message, the impunity rate for crimes against journalists in countries not experiencing armed conflict had declined from 94 per cent in 2012 to 77 per cent. However, he warned that the figures remained unacceptable and called for stronger measures.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is observed annually on November 2 following its proclamation by the UN General Assembly in 2013.
The date commemorates the killing of two French journalists in Mali on November 2, 2013, and serves as a reminder of the need to protect media workers and ensure accountability for attacks against them.
Guterres urged governments and the international community to renew their commitment to press freedom, saying journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear of intimidation, violence or retaliation.
