Freedom of the press is one of the main principles of democracy, and it is nothing new that throughout history, both ancient and recent, journalists have suffered attacks while carrying out their function of informing. Even today, in many parts of the world, carrying out this function is a risky situation, and on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, celebrated on November 2, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a statement in support of these professionals, calling on the world to join forces to ensure justice for victims and safety for those who make a living from news.
When journalists are attacked, the whole of society loses its collective voice
Guterres aptly used the date to remind everyone that journalism faces increasing dangers ranging from verbal threats and lawsuits to imprisonment and assassinations. According to the UN, almost nine out of ten journalist deaths remain unsolved, an alarmingly high figure.
In recent years, numerous armed conflicts and undemocratic regimes have transformed the journalist’s job of reporting into a real-life-threatening risk. Guterres highlighted the Gaza Strip as an example, as it has become the deadliest place for media professionals in any recent conflict. Despite the high occurrence of these attacks, independent and impartial investigations remain isolated exceptions rather than the rule.
Impunity turns press freedom violations into a threat to democracy
From the Secretary-General’s point of view, in addition to the attack itself, impunity is also interpreted as a direct attack on freedom of the press and a threat to democracy itself.
“When journalists are silenced, we all lose our voice. Let us stand together to defend press freedom, demand accountability, and ensure those who speak truth to power can do so without fear,” said Guterres.
Another concern raised is the rise of digital violence. Women journalists, in particular, have been targets of harassment and online attacks that often extend to the real world. The UN is demanding measures to ensure that the digital space is also a controlled and safe environment for those seeking and sharing information.
International organizations seek to ensure justice and safety for the press
The Council of Europe maintains the “Journalists Matter” campaign, created to encourage discussion of this issue among governments, prosecutors, and journalists to strengthen investigations and create protection mechanisms
More than 2,000 serious threats to press freedom have been documented over the past decade, according to data from the Platform for the Safety of Journalists. Many of these incidents include physical attacks, arbitrary detentions, and coordinated online smear efforts.
The Council has focused its efforts on trying to ensure accountability for these attacks, encouraging legal structures to create ways to reduce violence against the media. This year’s “Journalists Matter” conference, held in Luxembourg, brought together authorities to discuss alternative ways to improve investigations and defend freedom of expression.
Fighting impunity means protecting the truth and strengthening democracy
These actions together form part of a broader initiative for a “New European Democratic Pact,” created with the aim of increasingly strengthening initiatives in favor of security, transparency, and the promotion of information. The central idea is simple, and although it seems obvious, it has been threatened in various ways in various places: to ensure that everyone has access to verified facts without anyone being punished for reporting them.
The UN appeal is a call to restore trust in the practice of journalism, fairly and safely. In times when disinformation spreads rapidly, protecting those who investigate and denounce abuses is protecting society itself. Guterres ended his statement with a clear message: there can be no genuine democracy without a free press. Guterres concluded his statement by conveying the message that a genuine democracy is impossible without a free press, and stressed that protecting journalists means protecting the right to access information.