By Zoila Palma: Journalists worldwide continue to face threats, violence and persecution for reporting the news, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned as the world observes the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2.
Guterres called for greater protection for media professionals, emphasizing that they must be able to carry out their essential work safely and independently.
“Journalists continue to pay an outrageous price for telling the truth,” Guterres said. He noted that media workers are frequently subjected to harassment, surveillance, lawsuits, physical attacks and imprisonment, with some even tortured or killed simply for doing their jobs. He stressed that nothing should impede journalists’ ability to work, describing a free press as fundamental to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
This year’s observance highlights how emerging technologies and weapons are transforming the threats journalists face, particularly in conflict zones.
According to UNESCO, more than 1,700 journalists have been killed since 1993, and in nine out of ten cases, their killers go unpunished. The organization warns that impunity encourages further attacks and undermines public-interest reporting, including investigations into corruption, crime and human rights abuses.
Women journalists are also disproportionately affected by online violence, with 73 percent of those surveyed in a UNESCO study reporting that they had experienced threats, intimidation or insults online in connection with their work.
The United Nations continues to promote the safety of journalists through its Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which brings together UN agencies, governments, media organizations and civil society.
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By Zoila Palma: Journalists worldwide continue to face threats, violence and persecution for reporting the news, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned as the world observes the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2. Guterres called for greater protection for media professionals, emphasizing that they must be able to carry
The post International News: Journalists continue to pay outrageous price for telling the truth, UN Chief warns appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
