The world marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2, a day that serves as a reminder of the perils faced by journalists globally. UNESCO Director-General Pr Khaled El-Enany has issued a call to action, highlighting the alarming rate of journalist killings and the persistence of impunity. According to UNESCO, over 189 journalists were killed between 2024 and 2025, with 67% of these deaths occurring in conflict zones.
The theme of this year's International Day, "Les menaces évoluent. L'impunité perdure" ("Threats evolve. Impunity persists"), underscores the changing nature of the dangers faced by journalists. Physical violence remains a significant threat, but new forms of attacks have emerged, including drone strikes that claimed 50 lives between 2024 and 2025. Furthermore, online gender-based violence has become a pressing concern, particularly targeting female journalists.
The issue of impunity for journalist killings remains a significant challenge. UNESCO reports that six out of seven journalist assassinations go unpunished, illustrating the scale of the problem. However, the organization notes that there have been encouraging developments. Since 2012, the impunity rate for journalist killings in non-conflict countries has decreased by 17 percentage points, demonstrating the positive impact of sustained international cooperation.
To combat these challenges, UNESCO has been actively engaged in supporting national protection mechanisms and promoting accountability. As part of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, UNESCO has supported over 70 national protection mechanisms worldwide. The organization has also contributed to the training of over 53,000 justice professionals and law enforcement officials in 160 countries, as well as 3,600 parliamentarians.
The importance of protecting journalists cannot be overstated, according to Pr Khaled El-Enany. He emphasizes that safeguarding journalists is fundamental to defending freedom of expression, strengthening democracy, and preserving the right to information. On this International Day, he urges governments, media organizations, and civil society to intensify their efforts to address the evolving threats faced by journalists.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 2013. It is observed annually on November 2 in memory of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, two French journalists from Radio France Internationale (RFI) who were killed in Mali on November 2, 2013. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the risks journalists take to bring information to the public.
As the world commemorates this important day, UNESCO's message is clear: the fight against impunity for journalist killings must continue. The organization remains committed to working with partners to promote a safer environment for journalists and to ensure that those responsible for crimes against journalists are held accountable. By doing so, UNESCO aims to protect the fundamental right to information and to promote a more just and informed society.
Key points
- Six out of seven journalist assassinations go unpunished, according to UNESCO.
- Over 189 journalists were killed between 2024 and 2025, with 67% of these deaths occurring in conflict zones.
- UNESCO has supported over 70 national protection mechanisms and trained over 53,000 justice professionals and law enforcement officials to promote journalist safety and accountability.
