The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced that 55 journalists were killed in the world in 2021, crimes against journalists on duty, including murder, go unpunished, and impunity has increased at an alarming level. UNESCO noted that although the number of journalists who lost their lives was the lowest compared to the last ten years, the pressure and censorship of the journalists on duty increased, and that the reporters were able to carry out their duties under great danger.
UNESCO noted that in 2021, as in previous years, journalists faced high rates of imprisonment, physical assault, intimidation and harassment, including when covering news stories at protests.
“Only 10 percent of the journalists killed since 2006 have been found guilty”
UNESCO stated that two-thirds of the victims in 2021 died in countries where there was no armed conflict, and that according to the data in 2013, two-thirds of the deaths of journalists occurred in countries where armed conflicts took place. UNESCO announced that most of the journalist murders committed in the world in 2021 occurred in only two regions, 23 journalists were killed in the Asia-Pacific region and 14 journalists were killed in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to the latest UN data, only 10 percent of the murders of journalists committed since 2006 have been found.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, said in 2021 that journalists whose job is simply to bring the facts to light are paying the price. Director Azoulay stated that today the world needs independent and accurate information more than ever and said, “We have to do much more than we have done so far to ensure that journalists work without fear to reveal the truth.”
“Women journalists are in danger”
UNESCO stated that nearly three-quarters of journalists participating in a survey of women journalists have been exposed to online violence and threats related to their profession. UNESCO noted that cyber harassment against women journalists has increased at a shocking level, and that women journalists working under threat and danger are working at great risk.