Journalists victim to violence in a divided world: IFJ

Published On: February 8, 2019 01:35 PM NPT By: Agencies


The International Federation of Journalists has published its 29th report on journalists and media staff killed during their duties in 2018.

The report, In the Shadow of Violence: journalists and media killed in 2018, details cases of 95 journalists and media professionals who lost their lives in targeted killings, bomb attacks or crossfire incidents. The number represents an increase of twelve killings more than in 2017.

Yemen, India, Mexico, Afghanistan and Syria recorded the most devastating tolls while South Asia becomes the world’s most dangerous region for journalists, according to the report.

The IFJ said the increase in killings took place in the context of an increasing polarisation of views across the world, with the rise of dangerous nationalist and populist forces in many countries and the stigmatization of journalists and media by politicians and the enemies of media freedom.  

The report points to the pervasive level of impunity that prevails across the globe where 90 percent of journalists' killings remain unresolved as the authorities all too often fail to conduct credible investigations into these crimes.

Philippe Leruth, IFJ president said:

"These tragic figures remind us of our duty to act and hold governments responsible for the lack of investigation for journalists' crimes. We need an international instrument to force all states to act to halt the killing of journalists and bring the killers to justice. Our draft Convention on the Safety and Independence of Journalists and other media professionals would achieve this."

The IFJ-proposed Convention addresses the key weaknesses in the international legal regime and provides a dedicated instrument specific to the situation of journalists, ensuring more effective implementation of international law. It will ultimately secure a safer working environment for journalists and greater additional protection for press freedom.

The IFJ and its affiliates have met with governments, lobbied delegations and missions at the United Nations to raise support on the draft convention. The federation has also built a broad-based coalition of media organizations and professionals that have warmly supported the initiative and helped take the argument forward.

Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary, said:

"Every time a journalist is killed, it is not just the individual, the family, the media which suffers. Society is increasingly denied its right to the free flow of information and views as journalists – fearful for their lives – are silenced by the assassin’s gun."

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