What's happened
On the UN's International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, reports highlight ongoing violence and repression worldwide. Despite some progress, journalists in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, and Ghana face deadly attacks, arrests, and online harassment, with impunity remaining a major obstacle to press freedom.
What's behind the headline?
The state of press freedom remains dire despite international efforts. The UN's recognition of the day underscores the persistent violence and impunity faced by journalists worldwide. In Gaza, Israel's ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 248 journalist deaths over two years, with high-profile killings like Anas al-Sharif highlighting the deadly risks. Similarly, in Sudan, the war has decimated the independent press, with over 90% of media outlets shut down and journalists detained or killed, illustrating how conflict exacerbates media suppression.
Ghana's case reveals a troubling pattern of impunity, with the murder of journalist Divela in 2019 still unresolved after nearly seven years, despite government pledges for justice. Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, journalists face arrests, harassment, and gender-based violence, reflecting a broader trend of legal and extralegal repression.
The UN reports that in nearly nine out of ten cases, killers of journalists go unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity that emboldens further attacks. The digital landscape complicates this issue, with online harassment and misinformation campaigns targeting women journalists, who report nearly three times more online violence.
This ongoing violence and repression threaten not only individual journalists but also the fabric of democratic societies. The international community's response must include stronger legal frameworks, accountability, and protection measures, especially in conflict zones where the press is most vulnerable. The next steps should focus on closing the impunity gap and safeguarding the right to free expression globally, as these issues directly impact the flow of truthful information and the health of democracy itself.
What the papers say
The New Arab emphasizes the deadly toll of conflicts like Gaza, where Israel's military actions have killed at least 248 journalists in two years, highlighting the dangerous environment for media workers in war zones. It quotes UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who states that impunity 'is an assault on press freedom' and calls for investigations and prosecutions.
All Africa discusses the situation in Zimbabwe and Ghana, where journalists face arrests, harassment, and unresolved murders, such as the 2019 killing of Ghanaian journalist Divela. The article highlights the broader pattern of impunity and the threats posed by legal and extralegal repression, including online violence against women journalists.
Both sources underscore that despite some progress, violence against journalists remains widespread, with little accountability. The UN's own reports reinforce this, noting that in nearly 90% of cases, killers are not brought to justice, which perpetuates a climate of fear and censorship. The contrast lies in the focus: The New Arab concentrates on conflict zones like Gaza, while All Africa emphasizes repression in African countries, illustrating the global scope of the issue.
How we got here
The UN established November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists in 2013, aiming to raise awareness of violence against media workers. Recent years have seen increased risks, especially in conflict zones such as Gaza, Sudan, and parts of Africa, where journalists are targeted for their reporting. Despite some improvements, global attacks and killings persist, often with little accountability, fueling a climate of fear and censorship.
Go deeper
- What measures are being taken to protect journalists in conflict zones?
- How can international pressure improve accountability for crimes against journalists?
- What role do digital platforms play in both threatening and protecting journalists?
More on these topics
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.