Journalists Face Growing Threats Amid Rising Impunity for Crimes Against Them
Journalists around the world are increasingly exposed to life-threatening dangers, and these risks are underscored annually on International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed on November 2. This day serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing violence and persecution that reporters endure, particularly in conflict zones.
This year, UNESCO’s Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity highlights a staggering 38% increase in journalist killings compared to previous years, emphasizing the escalating threats faced by members of the press. The year’s observance coincides with this alarming study, drawing attention to the urgent need for action to protect journalists globally.
In his 2024 message for the International Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed to Gaza as the location with the highest number of reported journalist killings in any conflict in recent decades. He called on governments to take immediate action to safeguard journalists, investigate crimes against them, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Journalists in Gaza: Unprecedented Casualties in Modern Conflict
The ongoing war in Gaza dominated discussions at the 2024 UN International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East, an event that aims to foster dialogue between media practitioners and advocate for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This year’s seminar was marked by severe concerns over the escalating violence against journalists in Gaza.
In a statement delivered by Melissa Fleming, the UN’s head of global communications, Secretary-General Guterres lamented that journalists in Gaza have been killed “at a level unseen in any conflict in modern times.” He further criticized the ban on international journalists entering Gaza, stating it “suffocates the truth even further,” depriving the world of crucial information about the ongoing conflict.
Several experts shared their remarks during the seminar:
– Cheikh Niang, Chair of the UN Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, noted that since the October 2023 attack by Palestinian militants on Israel—followed by a devastating Israeli response—access to information in Gaza has been severely restricted. Over 130 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli forces, reflecting the silencing of voices reporting potential war crimes before their stories could be fully told.
– Guilherme Canela, chief of the section on freedom of expression and journalist safety at UNESCO, highlighted that the UNESCO Director-General's Report has, for the first time in recent years, recorded an increase in journalist killings related to conflict zones, driven largely by the situation in Gaza. This underscores a worrying trend of eroding trust in journalism, fueled by political and religious leaders, celebrities, and other influencers attacking the media. Canela emphasized that such mistrust threatens the foundational pillars of democracy and human rights protections.
– Mohammad Ali Alnsour, head of the Middle East and North Africa section at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), stressed the media’s essential role in initiating accountability processes by documenting crimes and violations. He also criticized the ongoing failure to ensure journalists’ safety in the occupied Palestinian territories, where access to information has been heavily restricted. Alnsour called for international humanitarian law to be upheld, noting that Israel, as the occupying power, is legally responsible for protecting civilians, including journalists.
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists coincides every two years with the release of a report spotlighting the global and regional landscape of impunity. The UNESCO Director-General’s 2024 Report underscores the critical state of this issue, reminding the global community that impunity for crimes against journalists not only endangers press freedom but also conceals broader human rights abuses, corruption, and criminal activity.
UNESCO warns that impunity harms societies by allowing human rights violations and corruption to go unchecked. To strengthen the rule of law, UNESCO urges governments, civil society, and the media to unite in the global fight to end impunity for crimes against journalists.
These calls for action underline the crucial role journalists play in reporting the truth, even in the most dangerous and hostile environments. Protecting their safety is not just about safeguarding individuals but preserving the fundamental right to freedom of the press and ensuring that accurate information reaches the public.
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