UN Secretary-General Warns Targeting Journalists Limits Public Access to Information
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a message marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed annually on November 2, warned that journalists worldwide still face serious dangers for speaking the truth and bear heavy costs.
He added that targeting journalists and preventing their reporting deprives people of vital information and ultimately harms society. In his message, Guterres emphasized, “When journalists are targeted and their reporting is silenced, we all suffer.”
The UN Secretary-General also stressed the necessity of holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring justice for media and news workers, calling for responsible officials to be answerable for crimes against journalists.
Guterres’ message comes amid ongoing violence and repression against journalists in many parts of the world, particularly in conflict zones, with their security and human rights remaining a concern for international organizations.
