UN Chief calls for justice for journalists
New Delhi, Oct 24: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged governments across the world to end the impunity surrounding crimes against journalists, warning that attacks on the press are an assault on democracy itself.
In a message ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed on 2 November, Guterres said that journalists continue to face “mounting perils in their pursuit of truth”, including intimidation, legal harassment, imprisonment, torture, and, in many cases, death.
“Media professionals around the globe face mounting perils in their pursuit of truth — including verbal abuse, legal threats, physical attacks, imprisonment and torture. Some are even killed,” Guterres said, underscoring the urgent need for justice and protection for those working in the media.
The UN Chief highlighted that nearly nine out of ten killings of journalists worldwide remain unresolved, calling this a “stark reminder of the culture of impunity” that enables such violence to continue unchecked. Referring to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, he said it has become “the deadliest place for journalists in any conflict,” and renewed his call for independent and impartial investigations into all attacks on media workers.
“Impunity anywhere is not only an injustice to the victims and their families — it is an assault on press freedom, an invitation to further violence, and a threat to democracy itself,” Guterres stated. He called on all governments to thoroughly investigate every case, prosecute perpetrators, and ensure journalists can do their work without fear or interference. The Secretary-General also drew attention to the growing wave of online abuse, particularly targeting women journalists, which often leads to real-world harm and remains largely unpunished. He urged global action to make digital spaces safer for those who “gather and report the news.”
“When journalists are silenced, we all lose our voice,” Guterres said, summing up the gravity of the issue. He concluded by urging the international community to stand together to defend press freedom, demand accountability, and protect those who speak truth to power. The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists was established by the United Nations in 2013 to highlight the importance of protecting journalists and ensuring justice for crimes committed against them.
