WSCIJ Wants An End To Impunity Against Journalists; 1,200 journalists have been killed globally in the past 14 years with the killers going unpunished in 9 out of 10 cases. According to data by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), so far, 22 journalists have been killed around the world with 11 from Nigeria between 1992 and 2020 while trying to perform their duties as watchdogs in the society
Globally, journalists are regarded as the watchdog of the society. As a watchdog, the news media functions to promote government transparency, accountability, and public scrutiny of decision-makers in power, and also ensure the dissemination of right and factual information. Upholding this tenet has come with a price for journalists.
Close to 1,200 journalists have been killed globally in the past 14 years with the killers going unpunished in 9 out of 10 cases. According to data by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), so far, 22 journalists have been killed around the world with 11 from Nigeria between 1992 and 2020 while trying to perform their duties as watchdogs in the society. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) also records two observatory deaths of Nigerian journalists in 2020.
The rate of killings and the motives behind it are constant reminders that violence against journalists is still rampant and failure to combat impunity against them is an indictment of the authorities. These attacks weaken the media’s capacity and undermine free speech and the rule of law. As we reflect on the commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists 2020, which is marked globally on the 2nd of November every year, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism WSCIJ joins the rest of the world to emphasize that to keep the truth alive, definite measures must be taken in countering the present culture of impunity for crimes against journalists in Nigeria. We reinforce the need for safety and the protection of rights for all journalists across the world.
#EndImpunity #KeepTruthAlive #IDEI2020
WSCIJ Team.
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