International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

November 2, 2022 is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, which was adopted in 2013 in commemoration of the murder of two French journalists in Mali on November 2, 2013. This historic decision by UNESCO symbolizes an international disapproval of violence against journalists and media workers, considering it serious human abuse, crime and corruption. It also brings reflection from member states and society on this issue and urges related measures so that violence is prevented, justice and freedom to carry out the profession of journalists are guaranteed.

The role of journalists

In today's world, personal opinions about journalists can be positive or negative. Their role is not particularly recognized, yet it is, even if implicitly, among the most prominent ones in society. In fact, if we reflect on it, any information about the past or current events, whether in our country or on the other side of the world, is the result of the work and efforts of journalists. Our knowledge and civic education, even of less relevant things, are surely the outcome of several hours of work and thorough research by a group of “news researchers.”

The value of journalism as a “public good” is a matter of growing interest. Like other public goods, journalism plays a key role in promoting a healthy civic sphere. This is possible because it does so by providing citizens with reliable information and facts they need to participate in a free and open society. Imagining a world without journalism is entirely possible, but what would it look like? Without the work of journalists, information would only come from official government statements, advertising, and biased international statements. What is fundamental and what we need instead is vision, values, ethics, and the way to present the subject matter. Therefore, journalism needs an active and vital environment so as to bring to life high-quality, reliable and arguable news and information.

Journalists are currently facing a period of crisis and affluence for several reasons. Some are about attacks on them and the inability to do their jobs properly, on the other hand, society is changing its methods of information, and because of this, journalism has had to adapt.

Freedom of expression

In our country, as well as for most European countries, freedom of expression is relatively accessible; unfortunately, however, in many other less developed states the problems are serious. The main cases of violation of this freedom concern the prohibition of newspapers or news channels not belonging to the state. Journalists on the other hand, both local and foreign, attempt to disseminate news against these restrictive regimes; unfortunately, again, various phenomena of aggression against them occur. As a matter of fact, physical violence, killings, imprisonments and psychological terrorism are enacted. Journalists are persecuted solely for their profession. The terrorism applied by these various states and societies is definitely a cause of fear and deterrence from publishing the information for which they might be killed or suffer serious consequences. Finally, another factor influencing the mistrust of writers is the impunity of crimes committed in the past.

According to UNESCO's research, these phenomena of limited freedom of expression are not only present in states where there is little freedom in general, but also in more advanced and cutting-edge states. The UN’s view in this regard is that wherever there are very powerful men who are able to overcome legality, there are these cases of violence. Impunity is thus a consequence, along with corruption. Finally, it can be said that most of the places where these things happen are not equipped or legally ready to deal with these cases of violation of freedom of expression.

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists

According to researchers conducted by UNESCO, the current safety of journalists is in grave danger. Since 1993, 1561 journalists worldwide have been killed because of their profession. It also estimates that an average of one journalist has been killed every four days in the past ten years. The number of foreign victims employed for foreign services is not as significant as that of local journalists, who remain the main targets. The data also report the situations of victims in armed conflicts, but these remain clearly in the background. This is certainly a wake-up call for society, as it means that the purpose of these actions was the death of journalists and was not simply an “accident” as is declared on documents.

The report only has data on killed journalists, but the organization is keen to point out how the number of those imprisoned, raped and abused is equally high. All these factors add to the concern of international organizations. What concerns them most is not only the high number of journalists killed, but also the state of practice on their deaths at the legal level. In fact, only 1 in 10 is legally resolved — and not always with appropriate punishment. The other 9 out of 10 cases are divided into: filed without sentence, not resolved, in processing, no information received.

Information is handled directly by the states in which the crimes were committed and then reported to UNESCO; therefore, it is often missing, vague, inaccurate or even denied. States where freedom of thought is not so accessible prefer to conceal such facts, so that they are also extraneous to the facts. The lack of evidence or witnesses is another element that disclaims all responsibility and impunity.

Consequently, the issue of impunity is very heartfelt and sensitive. Even in this day and age, having justice for such serious crimes is not among the things to take for granted.

How can we solve this problem?

The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity focuses on the fundamental factors of prevention, protection, and prosecution with the aim of creating a free and safe atmosphere for journalists and media professionals around the world, strengthening peace, democracy, and sustainable development. The Plan calls for a comprehensive and coalition-based implementation strategy between international organizations, governments and juridical systems.

In my opinion, the solution should start from considering crimes against journalists as crimes against freedom of expression, a human right enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights in article 19. Then the legal system of each country should properly adapt to the directives of the United Nations. In the same way, the legal systems of all those countries that do not investigate and prosecute these crimes should be improved. UNESCO is doing a lot of propaganda to raise awareness of these issues even where it is denied and tries to raise standards in less free countries. In addition, humanitarian aid and legal support are being activated to help journalists who are victims of crimes to fight for their rights.

We, as citizens of a free country and as writers of a little newspaper, should be committed to investigate and publish the reality of facts, which is a right of the entire population. Studying, reading and researching the topic for this article, as well as writing it, I realized that I have enormous power and privilege. Although it should be, it is by no means a given that everyone has the opportunity to write down every thought he or she has and make it public. I therefore urge every reader to realize this fact and use his or her own voice as a voice of truth and comparison to others. It is important to make one's voice stand out, and I believe it is everyone's duty for the good of all.

I decided to write this article in connection with our activity as writers, though minor, and in connection with my activity as a photographer. The latter brought me into direct contact with journalism, so I would like to dedicate this article to the two journalists who introduced me to this environment and to whom I wish much success in the complete protection of their profession.

I. Piacentini

Bibliografia

G. Berger, G. Canela et al., Journalism is a Public Good: World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development, in United Nations Educational, on UNESCO, https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000380618.locale=en.

Director-General report on the safety of journalists and the danger of Impunity, on UNESCO, October 27, 2020, www.unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000374700?posInSet=2&queryId=59f40786-004d-4e02-b22a-3c5f3fef2291.

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, on UNESCO, 2021, www.unesco.org/en/days/geodiversity.

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists, on UNESCO, October 31, 2022, www.en.unesco.org/themes/safety-journalists/observatory.

UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, on UNESCO, www.unesco.org/communication-information/safety-journalists/un-plan-action.