Guterres demands action on global impunity for journalist crimes

Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning about escalating dangers facing media workers worldwide and demanded governments take immediate steps to prosecute those responsible for attacks. The United Nations secretary-general spoke ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, observed on Sunday.

Nearly nine out of every 10 murders of reporters go unsolved globally, Guterres said, creating conditions that encourage additional violence. He pointed to Gaza as the most dangerous location for journalists during any armed conflict and pressed for neutral investigations into deaths there. Media professionals encounter threats ranging from verbal attacks and legal pressure to imprisonment and assassination, he added.

Guterres highlighted growing online harassment aimed at female journalists, noting that digital abuse frequently escapes punishment while posing real physical risks. He called for protective measures in virtual environments where news gathering occurs. The UN leader stressed that letting crimes against journalists go unpunished harms victims and their loved ones while undermining democratic institutions. He emphasized that silencing the press removes everyone’s ability to speak freely and urged collective action to shield those who hold powerful figures accountable.

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