Threats that silence: Trends in the safety of journalists
Key trends
- Journalism remains a deadly profession—and in nine times out of ten, the murder of a journalist is unresolved.
- Other threats against journalists, online and off-line, continue to grow. Journalist imprisonment is at record highs, while online violence and harassment spurs self-censorship and, in some cases, physical attacks.
From 2016 to the end of 2020, UNESCO recorded , a nearly 20 percent decrease from the previous five-year period. The declining trend continued in 2021, with 55 journalists killed.
Yet, the global rate of impunity for killing journalists is worryingly high: nine times out of ten, the case remains unresolved. Where the number of journalist killings is high, so is impunity for these killings, creating a continued cycle of violence.
At the same time, other threats against journalists, online and off-line, continue to grow.
Journalist imprisonment is at record highs. Online violence and harassment spurs self-censorship and, sometimes, physical attacks. Journalists have also increasingly been attacked while, by various actors (including both security forces and protest participants).
Numerous reports and studies confirm that threats inordinately affect women journalists and those who represent minority groups.
In 2020, UNESCO commissioned a of over 900 journalists worldwide about their experiences of online violence. Seventy-three percent of the 625 women journalists who responded to the question reported having experienced online violence in the course of their work.
killed for their work or while on the job between 2016 and the end of 2021
of cases of journalist killings recorded by UNESCO since 2006 are currently considered judicially resolved
of 625 women journalists surveyed experienced online violence in the course of their work
of 596 women journalists had been attacked or abused off-line in connection with previous online violence
The COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously created new challenges for the safety of journalists and exacerbated existing ones.
Even as journalists were broadly recognized as essential workers during the crisis, they faced increased harassment, psychological stress and trauma, and a higher risk of contracting the virus.
At least 1,967 journalists died after contracting COVID-19 between March 2020 and February 2022, according to .
Journalists are on the frontline and put their safety in peril every day to bring citizens reliable and verified information on the pandemic. Their contribution has been invaluable for us all.
In recognition of the extent and impact of these threats, numerous international and national efforts have sought to protect journalists and their vital work.
Between 2016 and 2021, 28 resolutions and decisions on journalists’ safety were adopted by the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council, UNESCO’s governing bodies, and regional bodies, and an indicator on the safety of journalists (SDG indicator 16.10.1) was established to measure achievement of the .
National protection mechanisms and action plans continue to address the ongoing threats faced by journalists worldwide. These are bolstered by the vital work of civil society efforts and organizations at national and international levels.
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Read the full report for more details and key figures on the threats and challenges facing journalists worldwide, and what we can do to protect them.