No fewer than 62 journalists were killed just for doing their jobs in 2020, says to UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The UN agency stated that between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 professionals lost their lives the same way, and in nine out of ten cases, the killers go unpunished.
In 2021, because of statistics like these, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is highlighting the important role of prosecutorial services, not only in bringing killers to justice but also in prosecuting threats of violence.
In his message on Tuesday, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, noted that many journalists had lost their lives while covering conflict, but the number of media workers killed outside conflict zones, has risen in recent years.
“In many countries, simply investigating corruption, trafficking, human rights violations or environmental issues puts journalists’ lives at risk,” the UN chief said.
Crimes against journalists have an enormous impact on society because they prevent people from making informed decisions.
Journalists face countless other threats, ranging from kidnapping, torture and arbitrary detention to disinformation campaigns and harassment, particularly in the digital sphere.
For Mr Guterres, “crimes against journalists have an enormous impact on society as a whole because they prevent people from making informed decisions.”