UNESCO Report: On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, UNESCO calls on all states to act on their commitments to end impunity for killing journalists. According to a new UNESCO report, the impunity level is still shockingly high, at 85%, down only 4 points in six years.
“In 2022 and 2023, a journalist was killed every four days simply for doing their vital job to pursue truth. For the vast majority of these cases, no-one will ever be held to account. I call upon all our Member States to do more to ensure that these crimes never go unpunished. Prosecuting and convicting the perpetrators is a major lever to prevent future attacks on journalists,” said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General.
UNESCO’s new report notes the persistence of a very high rate of impunity for the killings of journalists: 85% of all killings recorded by the Organization since 2006 are considered unresolved. While UNESCO notes an improving trend – the rate was 89% six years ago and 95% twelve years ago – States must significantly increase their efforts to deter new crimes against journalists.
Killings of women journalists highest in 7 years
In the biennium covered by the UNESCO report (2022-2023), a total of 162 journalists were killed. Almost half of the deaths took place in countries experiencing armed conflict, compared with 38% in the previous two years (2020-2021).
In other countries, most journalists were killed for covering organized crime, corruption, or while reporting on public demonstrations. The report moreover raises the alarming fact that the number of female journalists killed is at its highest level since 2017, with 14 killed.
New UNESCO tools for prevention and recovery
To advance advocacy against impunity, UNESCO is launching today its annual campaign to raise awareness of the issue of impunity, to be featured in newspapers all over the world. This year’s theme is “There’s a story behind the story.”
On 6 November, UNESCO is holding a global conference on Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies with the African Union in Addis Ababa. UNESCO will present its Global Repository of National Safety Mechanisms for Journalists, which consists of 56 national mechanisms for the protection of journalists and at least 12 national action plans.
UNESCO will also publish a guide for psychologists working with journalists in emergency situations in partnership with the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF). It is designed to provide psychologists with practical tools to offer immediate psychological support during crises, with a particular focus on the needs of women journalists.
The goal is to stabilize emotional and cognitive processes disrupted by traumatic events, enabling journalists to make rational decisions critical for their survival while minimizing impulsive actions that could place them at greater risk.
