International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists is annually observed on 2nd November. It is a United Nations recognized event.
The day draws attention to the level of impunity for crimes against journalists, which remains extremely high globally. Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been killed around the world, with close to 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remaining judicially unresolved, according to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists.
As journalists play a critical role in reporting facts to all citizens, impunity for attacks against them has a particularly damaging impact, limiting public awareness and constructive debate.
| Event | International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists |
|---|---|
| Date | November 2, 2022 |
| Day | Wednesday |
| Significance | The day emphasizes the level of impunity for crimes against journalists. |
| Observed by | World wide |
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists History:
On November 23rd, 2011, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists was established by the International Freedom of Speech Exchange (IFEX) which is a worldwide network of civil society groups dedicated to defending and promoting the right to freedom of expression and expression rights. On this day in 2009, the 'Ampatuan' massacre(also known as Maguindanao massacre) was commemorated for Crimes Against Journalists which was the single bloodiest assault on journalists in modern history in which 57 people were killed including 32 journalists and media employees.
In December 2013, after substantial lobbying from IFEX members and other civil society defenders of freedom of expression, the 70th plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly passed resolution 68/163, recognizing 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI). The date of the UN day marks the death of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, two French journalists killed while reporting in Mali earlier that year.
Since 2013, international commemorations of the International Day of Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and Media Professionals (I.D.E.I.) have provided a unique opportunity to raise awareness and promote a productive discussion among all actors involved in the fight against impunity for crimes against journalists. Not all nations welcome freedom of expression, and being a journalist in those places can be a very dangerous profession. Even in democratic countries freedom of expression is often suppressed by political groups which is a very serious issue.
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists Significance:
Ending impunity for crimes against journalists is one of the most serious issues to guarantee freedom of expression and access to information for all citizens. Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been reported to be killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public. In nine out of ten cases the killers go unpunished, according to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists. Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems and hence this issue is very necessary to be addressed for the better future of our world.
While killings are the most extreme form of media censorship, journalists are also subjected to countless threats - ranging from kidnapping, torture and other physical attacks to harassment, particularly in the digital sphere. Threats of violence and attacks against journalists, in particular, create a climate of fear for media professionals, impeding the free circulation of information, opinions and ideas for all citizens. This also creates a fearful environment within the society and makes the society effectless and feared. This leads to further acceleration in crime and corruption around the world by the wrongdoers.
In many cases, threats of violence and attacks against journalists are not properly investigated. This impunity emboldens the perpetrators of the crimes and at the same time has a chilling effect on society, including journalists themselves. UNESCO is concerned that impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime from the general public and as a result the people remains ignorant of their surroundings and society which leads them being brainwashed by the authorities and thus they can be easily controlled by anyone for their own good at the expense of their welfare and safety.
So despite all of the risks involved in journalism there are plenty of journalists in our world who are doing their best to being the truth in front of the public but it is often seen that they are only denied justice mostly and that's why suffers from oppression amd persecution by the wrongdoers. So the motive of this day is to highlight this issue in front of the world and also to encourage people towards taking a stand in support of these journalists and ask the authorities to provide them more safety for their operations.
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists Theme:
The main event to celebrate the 2022 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is a High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Conference on the Safety of Journalists on 3 and 4 November 2022 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in Vienna, Austria.
UNESCO is also organizing a series of regional consultations with local stakeholders to take a stock of the progress and challenges to protect journalists in the last ten years and to strategize how to implement the Plan more effectively, building upon the success stories and the lessons learned in the specific context of each region. Two thematic consultations will focus on 'internet transparency' and 'safety of women journalists'.
It is seen that internet has proven to be very efficient in improving transparency all across the world and hence the further integration of internet for all the services is required by the authorities to improve transparency across the world and this is what this day is encouraging this year.
Women journalists are particularly impacted by threats and attacks, notably by those made online. According to UNESCO's discussion paper, The Chilling: Global trends in online violence against women journalists, 73 percent of the women journalists surveyed said they had been threatened, intimidated and insulted online in connection with their work. So this day is demanding for better safety regarding women journalists.
Most Searched FAQs on International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists:
1. When is International Day to End Impunity for Crime Against Journalists is observed?
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists is annually observed on 2nd November.
2. What is the role of a journalist?
Journalists research, write, edit, and publish news, features, and articles. Their work appears on television, radio, magazines, journals, and newspapers, both in print and online.
3. What makes a good journalist?
A good journalist has a solid ethical foundation. When it comes to reporting on everything from business news to politics, fairness, honesty, and impartiality are essential.