United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called attention Thursday to the grim statistic that an estimated 90 percent of journalist murders worldwide go unpunished.
Speaking on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Guterres said that unchecked violence against the press fosters a climate of fear and repression.
“This must change,” Guterres declared, urging governments to “take urgent steps to protect journalists, investigate crimes against them, and prosecute perpetrators – everywhere.”
Afghanistan, where the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on the press since taking power in 2021, remains one of the most dangerous places for journalists. Media watchdogs report at least 110 incidents of violence against Afghan journalists in 2023 alone, with three journalists killed in Balkh and Kabul provinces.
The Taliban’s policies, including censorship and the detention and imprisonment of journalists, have compounded the risks for media workers in the country, watchdog groups say.
