International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

What Is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists?

November 2 is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in resolution A/RES/68/163, adopted on December 18, 2013. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on November 2, 2013.

What Does "Impunity" Mean?

"Impunity" refers to situations in which crimes such as the killing of or violence against journalists go unpunished.

• The resolution: It condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers and urges Member States to take definite measures to counter the present culture of impunity.
• Journalists killed: According to the UN, more than 1,700 journalists have been killed since 1993 for reporting the news and bringing information to the public.
• Nine out of ten cases: According to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists, in nine out of ten cases the killers go unpunished.
• Threats against women journalists: According to a UNESCO discussion paper, 73% of the women journalists surveyed said they had been threatened, intimidated, and insulted online in connection with their work.

The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists

The UN promotes a Plan of Action to address the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity. According to the UN, the Plan has brought together UN bodies, national authorities, media, and civil society organizations, and has led to the creation of national safety mechanisms in at least 50 countries. However, the UN notes that the high rate of impunity for crimes against journalists persists and that new forms of threats are emerging.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Think about how the news you read is reported and delivered
• Look up efforts on the safety of journalists on the UN or UNESCO website
• Make a habit of checking the source before sharing information on social media
• Talk with your family or coworkers about press freedom

A Day to Think About the Safety of Those Who Report

We can learn about events around the world because there are people who report from the field and deliver the news. November 2 is a day to recognize that this work can put lives at risk, and to pay attention to the problem of crimes that go unpunished.