United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the persistent killing of journalists worldwide. He made the call on Monday to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed annually on November 2. Guterres urged governments to investigate attacks on journalists, prosecute offenders and tackle online harassment. He stressed that media freedom was essential to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
According to Guterres, at least 34 journalists had been killed in the past year. Impunity for such crimes remained particularly high in conflict zones, where the rate was nearly 100 per cent. He noted that the situation had improved in countries not experiencing armed conflict, with the impunity rate dropping from 94 per cent to 77 per cent since the launch of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists in 2012.
Guterres described the failure to punish perpetrators as an affront to victims, their families and society. Journalists play a critical role in informing the public and holding those in power accountable. He emphasized that when journalists are targeted and their reporting is extinguished, it makes victims of us all.
The UN chief disclosed that journalists continued to face intimidation, surveillance, lawsuits, imprisonment, torture and physical attacks simply for doing their jobs. He called on governments to take action to protect journalists and ensure that those responsible for attacks on them are held accountable.
Guterres' statement was released on November 2, 2026, to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. The day is observed annually to raise awareness about the issue of impunity for crimes against journalists and to call for action to protect journalists.
In Nigeria, the issue of journalists' safety has been a concern, with many cases of attacks and intimidation reported. The UN has been working with the Nigerian government to address the issue and ensure that journalists are protected.
The UN Secretary-General's call for action to protect journalists and hold perpetrators accountable has been echoed by many organizations and individuals. They emphasize that a free and independent press is essential to a functioning democracy and that journalists must be able to report without fear of reprisal.
Key points
- Six out of seven murderers of journalists escape justice, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
- At least 34 journalists were killed in the past year, with impunity rates remaining high in conflict zones.
- The UN has been working to address the issue of journalists' safety, including through the launch of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists in 2012.
