United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has said that the governments must do more to prevent attacks, to protect journalists, and to prosecute those responsible, adding that states also need laws to protect freedom of expression and information. Speaking on the occasion of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (November 2), Türk said, “We live in troubled times—and effective journalism is more important than ever. A free press feeds a free society and fuels democratic decision-making.” “It also makes sure that we understand the human impact of violence and conflict so that this horrible tendency of dehumanization is stopped,” he added. “On this International Day, I urge all those with influence to step up action to end impunity for crimes against journalists, to protect media workers, and to contribute to building open, just societies where the truth can flourish,” said the UN right chief.  

Journalists and media workers are facing increasing politicisation of their work and threats to the freedom to simply do their jobs, according to the UN. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many media workers have been on the frontlines, providing accurate, science-based reporting to inform decision-makers and save lives, said the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, marking World Press Freedom Day Tuesday. But the threats to their freedom to go about their reporting and storytelling fairly and accurately are multiplying daily. Also read: In Kashmir, India batters press freedom — and journalists From global health to the climate crisis, corruption, and human rights abuses, they face increased politicisation of their work and attempts to silence them from many sides, Guterres said. Digital technology has democratised access to information, but it has also created serious challenges, he added. The UN chief also said many social media platforms make their money not through increasing access to fact-based reporting, but by boosting engagement, "which often means provoking outrage and spreading lies." Media workers in war zones are threatened not only by bombs and bullets but by the weapons of falsification and disinformation that accompany modern warfare. They may be attacked as the enemy, accused of espionage, detained, or killed, simply for doing their jobs. Guterres said digital technology was also making censorship easier for authoritarian governments and others, seeking to suppress the truth, with many journalists and editors facing the prospect of their work being taken offline daily. Digital technology is also creating new "channels for oppression and abuse," with women journalists "at particular risk" of online harassment and violence.  The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has found that nearly three-quarters of women respondents had experienced online violence. Hacking and illegal surveillance also prevent journalists from doing their jobs. The methods and tools change, but the goal of discrediting the media and covering up the truth remains the same as ever, said the UN chief, leading to citizens without free media being "manipulated in horrifying ways." Without freedom of the press, there are no real democratic societies. Without freedom of the press, there is no freedom, he added. Ten years ago, the UN established a Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists to protect media workers and end impunity for crimes committed against them and continues to fight to protect their rights.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Member States and the international community to stand in solidarity with journalists around the world and to demonstrate the political will needed to investigate and prosecute crimes against journalists and media workers with the full force of the law. "Today, on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we commemorate the legacy and achievements of journalists killed in the line of duty, and call for justice for crimes committed against them," he said in a message marking the day on Tuesday. Also read: Adaptation prog can help 10m more vulnerable people in Asia-Pacific: UN Last year, according to UNESCO, 62 journalists around the world were killed just for doing their jobs. Many lost their lives while covering conflict. But in recent years, the number of media workers killed outside conflict zones has risen, said the UN chief. "In many countries, simply investigating corruption, trafficking, human rights violations or environmental issues puts journalists’ lives at risk," he said. Impunity for killing journalists is extremely high. According to UNESCO, almost 9 out of 10 cases go unpunished. Also read: UNDP, BDF launch “Youth Against Corruption” campaign And journalists face countless other threats – ranging from kidnapping, torture and arbitrary detention to disinformation campaigns and harassment, particularly in the digital sphere. Women journalists are at particular risk of online violence, Guterres said. Crimes against journalists have an enormous impact on society as a whole, because they prevent people from making informed decisions, he said. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the shadow pandemic of misinformation, has demonstrated that access to facts and science is literally a matter of life and death. "When access to information is threatened, it sends a disturbing message that undermines democracy and the rule of law," said the UN chief.

Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) on Wednesday urged the law enforcement agencies and other authorities concerned to cooperate with the media people in discharging their professional duties during the strict lockdown set to be enforced from Thursday. In a statement, DRU president Mursalin Nomani and general secretary Mosiur Rahman Khan also urged the media workers to carry their press cards while performing their duties. They said the government is going to impose tough restrictions across the country from July 1 to prevent the upsurge of coronavirus infections. The DRU leaders said the government in its notification issued on Wednesday listed mass media as ‘emergency services’ during the restrictions. Also read: Violation of lockdown rules to invite legal action, warns DMP “However, in the context of past experience, it can be seen that media workers in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, have been subjected to various forms of harassment while performing their professional duties (during such restrictions,” the statement said. Under the circumstances, the DRU leaders called upon the law enforcement agencies and the authorities concerned to cooperate and play a responsible role so that the journalists and employees of newspapers, television and news portals are not subjected to any kind of harassment. They also requested the media workers help the members of the law enforcement agencies carry out their professional duties. Earlier in the day, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam told reporters that the journalists have been asked to cover their assignments after hanging their ID cards and they can move in the city to perform their duties during the seven-day tough lockdown. Also read: Govt outlines restriction rules ahead of ‘tough’ lockdown “Police won’t obstruct them. They can also use vehicles provided by their respective offices,” he added. The government is all set to enforce a weeklong countrywide strict lowdown from Thursday in a bid to control the growing Covid infections. All public movement, except emergency services, will be restricted during the lockdown by deploying the members and army and other law enforcement agencies.

A total of 65 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2020 while doing their jobs, according to the International Federation of Journalists.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the killing of three women working for a local radio and TV station in eastern Afghanistan, the latest in a spike in targeted killings across the war-tor country. Dozens of people gathered Wednesday for the funerals of the three media workers.

Clampdowns on the media increased sharply in 2020, the UN’s cultural agency said on Monday, highlighting 21 protests around the world this year in which State security forces have violated journalists’ rights.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on governments to protect media workers and strengthen and maintain press freedom, which is essential for a future of peace, justice and human rights for all.