U.S. Calls for an End to Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

The U.S. renewed its commitment to "an open and free press around the world" and called on global governments to condemn crimes against journalists.

On the International Day to End Impunity against Journalists, the Department of State said in a press release that independent media play a role in promoting democracy and shining a light on developments around the world, "whether daunting or hopeful."

"On International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we reiterate our calls for justice for brave journalists across the globe," DOS spokesperson Ned Price said.

According to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists, over 1,500 media workers have been killed globally, with most of their cases remaining unsolved.

Besides, there are more attacks, either physically or online "where identifying and holding to account the perpetrator can be difficult", Price said.

In terms of genre, the DOS warned that women journalists are targeted in a disproportionate way by online harassment and abuse. Citing a UNESCO survey, the Biden administration says 73% of women journalists have been harassed due to their work.

The DOS statements come as the CPJ, a US-based organization, released its 2023 Global Impunity Index.

According to the CPJ, Haiti now ranks as the world's third-worst impunity offender, behind Syria and Somalia respectively. Somalia, Iraq, Mexico, the Philippines, Pakistan, and India, have been on the index every year since its inception. Syria, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Brazil also have been there for years – a sobering reminder of the persistent and pernicious nature of impunity.

"The reasons for these countries' failure to prosecute journalists' killers range from conflict to corruption, insurgency to inadequate law enforcement, and lack of political interest in punishing those willing to kill independent journalists. These states include democracies and autocracies, nations in turmoil and those with stable governments," said the CPJ.