The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists will be observed across the globe on Wednesday. The United Nations observed the day to condemn all attacks against journalists and media workers.

In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the 2nd of November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination in Mali of Claude Verlon and Ghislaine Dupont, two French journalists, on 2 November in 2013.

In his message on the eve of the day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that a free press is vital for democracy, exposing wrongdoing and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mr. Guterres called on the governments and international community to take necessary steps to protect journalists. The UN Chief noted that more than 70 journalists were killed this year for fulfilling their role in society.

Marking the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, which aims to create a safe and free environment for all media workers, Mr. Guterres stressed ending a common culture of impunity and enabling journalists to do their essential work.

He observed that a surge in disinformation, online bullying, and hate speech, particularly against women journalists, is contributing to the stifling of media workers around the world.

The United Nations Secretary-General said, intimidation through the abuse of legal, financial, and other means is undermining efforts to hold the powerful accountable. He said, these trends threaten not only journalists but society as a whole.

On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Mr Guterres called for taking a pledge to honour our media workers, and stand up for truth, justice and human rights for all.