Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies
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Curiosity is the trait of human beings, and they have the urge to know. All feel that access to Information is an entitlement. Journalists play a critical role in reporting facts. Impunity for attacks against them has a damaging impact. Reporting the news can be risky, especially against the powerful. “The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists” is observed on 2 November and is a UN observation. Globally, the level of Impunity for crimes against journalists remains very high. In the last two decades, over 1,700 journalists have been killed. 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remain judicially unresolved. Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for 38% of killings, followed by Asia and the Pacific with 32% of killings. In recent years, the percentage of women journalists killed almost doubled. The observation of days like this is to raise awareness and make people sensitive to the challenges journalists and media face in doing their jobs. Pay tribute to the brave hearts and, more importantly, their family members.
A free press is fundamental to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Together, let’s end the cycle of violence, uphold freedom of expression,
and ensure that journalists can carry out their essential work safely and without fear – everywhere.
António Guterres, Secretary-General, UN
Curiosity is a trait of human beings. They have the urge to know and feel that access to information is an entitlement. The challenge is its availability and unbiased reporting. With social media all-pervading, there is an excess of information, and the challenge emerging is to look for reliable narratives and reinforce transparency. Journalists have a critical role in reporting facts. Impunity for attacks against them has a damaging impact. Reporting the news can be risky, especially against the powerful.
“The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists” is observed on 2 November and is a UN observation. It all started in 2011, with the initiative of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, which started observing 23 November as the International Day to End Impunity. The date was chosen to remind the world of the “Ampatuan massacre” in 2009, where 57 people were killed, the majority of them journalists and media people. In December 2013, the UN adopted a resolution to observe 2 November as the “International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists”. The date marks the death of two French journalists, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon while reporting in Mali earlier that year.
Journalism Under Pressure Around the World.
The data being maintained by UNSECO evokes sadness amongst those who are sensitive. Globally, the level of Impunity for crimes against journalists remains very high. In the last two decades, over 1,700 journalists have been killed, with 9 out of 10 of them remaining judicially unresolved. Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for 38% of killings, followed by Asia and the Pacific with 32% of killings. In recent years, the percentage of women journalists killed almost doubled. Getting killed is the most extreme action but also a form of censorship. Journalists are also subjected to threats in other forms, such as kidnapping and torture, particularly in the digital sphere.
Impunity for Attacks on Journalists
has a Chilling Effect on Society.
The observation of days like this is to raise awareness and make people sensitive to the challenges journalists and media face in doing their jobs. Let us pay tribute to all those working hard and risking their lives to keep you informed about those brave journalists and, more importantly, their family members.
Toons: Advika
Logs: M Sai Baba
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