Fifty-five journalists and media professionals were killed past year, latest UN data showed on Thursday, with astir 9 successful 10 killings since 2006 still unresolved.
Impunity is “alarmingly widespread”, said the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
“Once again successful 2021, acold excessively galore journalists paid the eventual terms to bring information to light”, said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
“Right now, the satellite needs independent, factual information more than ever. We indispensable bash much to guarantee that those who enactment tirelessly to supply this tin bash truthful without fear.”
Although the number of victims stands at its lowest for a decade, UNESCO underlined the many dangers that reporters face in trying to cover stories and exposure wrongdoing.
In 2021, arsenic successful erstwhile years, journalists faced high rates of imprisonment, carnal attack, intimidation and harassment, including when reporting on protests.
No distinction
Women journalists continue to beryllium peculiarly astatine hazard arsenic they are subjected to “a shocking prevalence of harassment online”, UNESCO said, citing data which showed that nearly three-quarters of female media professionals surveyed had experienced online unit linked to their work.
According to the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists, two-thirds of victims successful 2021 died successful countries where determination is no armed conflict.
This marks a implicit reversal of the concern successful 2013, erstwhile two-thirds of killings took spot successful countries experiencing conflict.
Regional dangers
Most deaths in 2021 occurred in conscionable 2 regions, Asia-Pacific – with 23 killings, and Latin America and the Caribbean – with 14.
On Wednesday, Ms. Azoulay condemned the sidesplitting of Myanmar journalist Sai Win Aung.
Mr. Aung – also known arsenic A Sai K – died connected 25 December while covering the plight of refugees successful the southeastern authorities of Kayin.
During his assignment for the Federal News Journal, helium was changeable successful an artillery onslaught by the Myanmar equipped forces, UNESCO said citing reports, making him the second journalist to be killed successful Myanmar last month.
Bold platform
UNESCO has a planetary mandate to guarantee state of look and the information of journalists worldwide.
Every time a journalist or media nonrecreational is killed, the bureau systematically urges authorities to behaviour a afloat investigation.
The agency also coordinates the UN Plan of Action connected the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which marks its 10-year day successful 2022.
UNESCO also provides grooming for journalists and judicial actors, works with Governments to make supportive policies and laws and raises planetary consciousness done events specified as World Press Freedom Day, commemorated annually connected 3 May.
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