African organizations require security and freedom for journalists

A African Union and the Federation of African Journalists declared today, International Day for the End of the Impunity of Crimes against Journalists, that each professional should be able to cover it without fear of violence or retaliation.

“On this International Day for the End of the Impunity of Crimes against Journalists we fully sympathize with journalists and other media professionals throughout Africa,” said in a joint statement the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, Bankole Adeoye, and the President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Omar Faruk Osman.

In this follow-up, they announced that they honor “those who were killed, wounded, detained, threatened or forced into exile for their commitment to inform the public, defending the principles of journalism”, as well as their families.

On the other hand, they reaffirmed that attacks on journalists “are attacks on the fundamental human rights of all peoples of Africa, especially the right to freedom of expression and access to information”.

Therefore, they reaffirmed their “commitment to build a continent where journalists can work freely and safely, where crimes against them are investigated and punished and the rule of law prevails without exception”.

In her view, women journalists are particularly exposed to gender-based threats, harassment and online violence.

The motto of the ephemeral this year is “The threats evolve. Impunity persists” and, for the leaders, it calls attention to the way in which the new technologies and the evolving weapons are changing the risks that journalists face, particularly in conflict areas, while those responsible for crimes against them continue too often to escape accountability and justice.

“ When these crimes go unpunished, aggressors feel encouraged, journalism of public interest is silenced and communities are denied the information necessary to participate in public life and exercise their democratic rights ", added.

The two organisations asked for greater protection of journalists' rights and for Member States to ensure the safety of these professionals, investigate attacks, bring those responsible to justice, punish aggressors and provide effective repairs to victims.

They also requested that obligations under African and international human rights law be fulfilled and that they take concrete steps to prevent attacks and put an end to impunity.

They also called on the “governments to create or strengthen national mechanisms for the security of journalists, to ensure that security forces understand and respect the role of the media and to protect media professionals covering protests, elections, emergency situations and armed conflicts”.

“ Laws should not be used to intimidate journalists, prevent legitimate journalism or restrict the right to responsible freedom of expression,” they concluded.