Journalists continue to face physical and verbal attacks that threaten their ability to report news and disseminate information to the public. Between 2006 and 2020, about 142 journalists were killed in Africa, with 87% of these killings remaining judicially unresolved or unreported, as recorded in the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists.
The 2021 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) highlights the instrumental role of prosecutorial services in investigating and prosecuting not only killings but also threats of violence against journalists.
The UNESCO observatory of killed journalists highlights a decrease in the killings of journalists, however the global impunity rate remains very high. The 2019/2020 State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa Report done by the Media Institute of Southern African (MISA) reports that in the Southern region many cases of threats, violence and attacks against journalists are not properly investigated which often leads to more severe aggressions and murders.
The impunity for crimes against journalists has led to covering up of some serious human rights abuses, such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, physical assaults, crippling fines, use of or introduction of laws that are inimical to freedom of expression and killings, which are used as weapons to silence critical journalism in many countries.
The cycle of violence against journalists is often an indicator of the weakening of rule of law and of the judicial system of the southern African countries. The judiciary have a critical role in addressing crimes against journalists. The 2021 IDEI commemorations thus provide platforms for dialogue among prosecutors and journalists on preventive and protective measures to address the safety of journalists.
States have an obligation to protect journalists and to ensure that the perpetrators of crimes against them are punished. Judges and prosecutors in particular have an important role to play in promoting swift and effective criminal proceedings.
Online violence and harassment of women journalists remains a serious threat. Out of the 714 respondents to the UNESCO-ICFJ 2021 survey who identified as women, 1 in 4 experienced threats of physical violence, 4 in 10 appeared to be targeted by orchestrated disinformation campaigns, a quarter experienced mental health impacts and only 1 in 10 reported online violence to the police. The IDEI commemorations thus pay attention to discussions on mapping strategies to address online and gender-based threats against women journalists.
In alignment with the recommendations of the Windhoek +30 Declaration, adopted at the culmination of the 2021 World Press Freedom Day, the 2021 IDEI contributes towards the safety and independence of journalists to enhance the nurturing of media viability.
Under the umbrella of the 2021 UNESCO Director-General’s request for information on judicial follow-up to cases of killings of journalists, 28 countries (44 percent) have reported to UNESCO positive steps that they have taken in establishing and implementing stronger protection, prosecution, prevention, and reporting measures to enhance the safety of journalists.
UNESCO continues to encourage governments, civil society, the media, and everyone concerned to uphold the rule of law and join in the global efforts to end impunity for crimes against journalists.
Please find more information about the IDEI commemorations here.