States Must End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

November 8, 2024 – General –

In a powerful call-to-action, the International Press Institute (IPI) urges governments worldwide to confront and eliminate impunity for attacks on journalists. According to IPI, a staggering majority of crimes against media professionals—particularly killings—go unpunished, enabling further violence and eroding press freedom.

IPI highlights that impunity serves as a flame to an accelerating blaze: unchecked, it emboldens perpetrators and institutionalizes hostility against journalism. This trend—amplified in authoritarian regimes and conflict zones—is undermining the media’s essential role as democracy’s watchdog.

A focal point of IPI’s advocacy is environmental and climate journalism, which the organization argues is especially vulnerable. Reporters covering sensitive issues—from corruption and organized crime to environmental abuses—face heightened risk. IPI emphasizes that safeguarding such journalists is critical for protecting not just individual safety but global information integrity.

The backdrop is stark. UNESCO statistics reveal that since systematic tracking began in 2006, over 1,200 journalists have been killed, yet only about 13% of cases have been resolved. That leaves more than 87% of journalist killings uninvestigated or uncensored. Frank La Rue, former UNESCO assistant director-general, attributes the impunity crisis to a lack of political will, judicial reluctance, weak laws, and corruption.

IPI emphasizes that ending impunity requires systemic change: states must enact prompt, independent investigations; prosecute responsible parties; and provide reparations to victims’ families. This is not merely a moral imperative, but a legal obligation under international human rights and humanitarian law.

The call for action aligns with the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on November 2, underlining that press safety is a global concern that transcends borders.

IPI’s resolution underlines that protecting journalists is synonymous with defending democracy, transparency, and truth. By holding perpetrators accountable, states can shift from emboldening attacks to fostering environments where journalism thrives, even in the face of danger.

Reference –

States must recommit to fighting impunity for attacks on journalists