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The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed on November 2, highlights the urgent need to ensure accountability for violence against journalists worldwide. According to UNESCO, over 1,200 journalists have been killed globally since 2006, often with little to no legal consequence for perpetrators. This day, established by the UN in 2013, urges nations to enforce justice, emphasizing that crimes against journalists undermine both press freedom and democracy by instilling fear and silencing crucial voices.
The rationale behind this observance is rooted in the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and access to information. Crimes against journalists often occur when they investigate corruption, human rights abuses, or organized crime. Yet, data reveals that 86% of journalist killings remain unsolved, creating a culture of impunity that encourages perpetrators and weakens the media’s protective power. The UN’s commitment is reflected in the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists. It promotes awareness, legal frameworks, and policies to counter threats against journalists and bolster their safety in conflict zones and high-risk areas.
Highlighting Cases and Challenges
The assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, among other high-profile cases, illustrates the international scope of the problem. Khashoggi’s murder in the Saudi consulate in Turkey exposed the stark risks journalists face in exposing power abuses and provoked worldwide condemnation. Other notable cases include the murders of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who investigated corruption in Malta, and Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak, whose work on tax evasion cost him his life. These cases bring to light the interconnected challenges journalists encounter, from physical threats to state censorship and lack of protection. Many journalists are subject to state-backed surveillance, smear campaigns, arbitrary arrests, or harassment, creating a hostile environment that erodes press freedom.
Legal gaps across different countries further complicate justice for journalists. In some regions, political pressures and weak judicial systems make prosecuting crimes against journalists exceedingly difficult. This perpetuates a cycle of impunity, as journalists in these environments lack support from legal frameworks that prioritize their safety. Human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists(CPJ), actively monitor attacks on journalists and advocate for justice. Their 2023 reports indicate a rise in harassment, threats, and murders against journalists, with 67 journalists killed and 365 imprisoned in 2022 alone. According to CPJ, 63% of these murders were committed in countries experiencing weak or failing judicial systems, where investigative reporters become especially vulnerable.
International Efforts and the Road Ahead
Efforts to improve journalist protections focus on international collaboration, national legal reform, and awareness campaigns. UNESCO’s collaboration with governments and civil society has spurred initiatives like UNESCO’s annual World Press Freedom Conference, which advocates for freedom of expression and journalists’ rights. Additionally, the UN calls for reinforcing the protection of journalists through legal reforms and encouraging countries to prosecute perpetrators swiftly and transparently.
The UNESCO Global Media Defence Fund has also made strides in addressing journalist safety by supporting legal defense for reporters facing legal threats. UNESCO’s Journalists’ Safety Indicators provide a tool to track the safety conditions of journalists and monitor justice processes, helping to assess and improve national responses.
While November 2 highlights the importance of justice for journalists, creating safe conditions for press freedom requires year-round efforts. Governments, media organizations, and individuals play a role in demanding accountability and raising awareness of the hazards journalists face. The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists serves as both a reminder of the ongoing challenges and a call to action. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, society can move closer to a world where journalists are free to pursue the truth without fear.
By: Touska Gholami Khaljiri