EBU joins calls to stop widespread attacks on journalists

Geneva, November 2017: The EBU has joined organisations around the world to call for better protection for journalists on UNESCO's International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

EBU joins calls for better protection for journalists.
In the past eleven years, close to 930 journalists have been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public. Ninety percent of cases remain unpunished, according to information provided to UNESCO by Member States this year.

Over 100 journalists were killed last year alone. The vast majority were killed reporting on local stories and half of the killings occurred in countries where there was no armed conflict.

Impunity for these crimes only leads to more killings and is often a symption of worsening conflice and the breakdown of law and judicial systerms.

EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot said: "A free and independent media is the hallmark of a democratic society. We must demand that governments across the world uphold the rule of law and ensure that those responsible for these appalling killings are brought to justice. Not only for their families but for the sake of society as a whole."

The EBU is actively backing the campaign and the drive to offer better protection to journalists. In particular, the EBU is partnering with UNESCO to support the renewal of the UN interagencies mandate and is a member of INSI (International News Safety Institute) that helps media organizations train their staff and journalists in the field to protect them from attacks.

The EBU has recently joined a Council of Europe platform designed to track alleged violations of media freedom. The platform was set up a year ago to promote the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists in Member States. It also continues to support the Reporters Without Borders campaign to create a special representative to UN Secretary General for the safety of journalists.

Today, UNESCO and its partners are launching a global campaign #MyFightAgainstImpunity with events worldwide. You can follow the International Day with #EndInpunity and #JournoSafe.

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