Most murders of journalists in the world go unpunished, warns UNESCO

"According to new data from UNESCO, the global impunity rate for murders of journalists rises to 86%“, reported the organization, which also asked world leaders for measures to strengthen the means of investigating and convicting those responsible.

Although it represents a reduction of nine points in the last ten years, it is “very insufficient to stop the spiral of violence”, says UNESCO.

In the period between 2020 and 2021, 117 journalists were murdered for their profession, which represents the lowest number since the first publication of this report in 2008. Of these, 91 died outside working hours (at home, in the car or on the street), without being on any specific mission. As of September 30 of this year, 66 journalists have been murdered.

In the previous two years, the deadliest regions for these professionals were Latin America and the Caribbean and, to a lesser extent, Asia-Pacific. In 2020, there were no murders of journalists in Central or Eastern Europe, for the first time since 2007.

An important fact is that only 36% of victims in 2021 died in countries with armed conflicts.

The report also highlights an increase in journalists killed in riots or demonstrations: six in the 2020-2021 period compared to three in the 2016-2017 period.

(With AFP)