Media Freedom Coalition statement on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2026

On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, and in the context of an increased impunity rate of killings of journalists, the undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition call for journalists and media workers to be protected so they can fulfil their essential role of informing the public, exposing wrongdoing, revealing untold stories, and holding the powerful to account.

Across the world, journalists and media workers endure threats and attacks both offline and online. In the vast majority of cases, crimes against journalists go unpunished. According to UNESCO’s latest data, since the establishment of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity in 2012, this is the first year in which UNESCO has measured an increase in the impunity rate of killings of journalists, rising from 85% in 2024 to 86% in 2026. These figures send a clear and chilling message that journalists and media workers can be harassed, silenced, or even killed without consequence.

The high rate of impunity is significantly driven by the killings of journalists in conflict zones. When journalists are killed or silenced without accountability, citizens and communities are deprived of their access to information. In conflict zones, this information could save lives. Journalists are civilians and are afforded protection under international humanitarian law, and must never be targeted. We call for all attacks against media workers to be investigated and for those responsible to be prosecuted in compliance with national and international law. 

We must not allow threats and attacks against journalists to become normalised. We stand with journalists and media workers all over the world, including female journalists, and those who are under threat, imprisoned or exiled. We also stand with the families and colleagues of journalists who have been killed for reporting the truth. Impunity must end.

Signed: