OCTOBER 28, 2024
Unifor continues to support its members who work as media workers and journalists by marking November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
On this day, we raise our voices to demand justice for journalists globally who face grave threats and violence simply for doing their jobs—bringing truth to light and holding power accountable.
Journalists remain on the frontlines of defending democracy, freedom of expression, and the right to information. Yet, too often, those who target them with violence escape justice.
Since 2006, over 1,700 journalists have been killed for their work, with close to 90% of these cases remaining judicially unresolved, according to UNESCO. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes—ranging from murders, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, harassment, and torture—are rarely held accountable.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has highlighted a disturbing trend of violence against journalists in war zones. Journalists covering the conflict, many of them local reporters, have faced aerial bombardments, arrests, and intimidation.
As of Oct. 17, 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists’ preliminary investigations showed at least 128 journalists and media workers were among the tens of thousands killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon since the war began, making it the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began gathering data in 1992.
Beyond Gaza, journalists in countries such as Mexico, Afghanistan, and the Philippines continue to face deadly violence, with many targeted for their investigations into corruption, organized crime, and human rights abuses. In Mexico, 163 journalists have been murdered in since 2000, and another 32 are missing, making it one of the most dangerous countries for media workers outside a war zone.
The lack of accountability for their killers is a stark reminder of the impunity that prevails in war zones around the world. Here at home in Canada, as well as the U.S., which are often seen as bastions of free speech, journalists face significant threats to their safety and the ability to do their work without fear of violence or harassment. This includes legal intimidation, threats and online harassment.
Two poignant examples are Savanna Craig and Brandi Morin. Both Canadian journalists have been outspoken advocates for Indigenous rights and have faced harassment and threats for their work. Craig, an investigative journalist, has faced significant intimidation after exposing corporate corruption linked to environmental exploitation. Morin, an award-winning Indigenous journalist, has faced a barrage of threats and targeted harassment for her coverage of missing and murdered Indigenous women and the exploitation of Indigenous lands.
Canada has been criticized by the United Nations and other international organizations for its failure to protect freedom of expression fully. The Canadian Association of Journalists has repeatedly called on the government to do more to ensure press freedom and prevent the harassment and obstruction of journalists.
On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Unifor joins the call for stronger measures to protect journalists and ensure accountability for those who commit crimes against them. We urge governments worldwide to:
- Strengthen legal frameworks to protect journalists and uphold the right to freedom of expression.
- Investigate and prosecute all crimes committed against journalists, ensuring justice is served.
- Provide safety training and support for journalists working in conflict zones and high-risk areas.
- Condemn and take action against the harassment, intimidation, and violence faced by journalists in democratic countries, including Canada.
Unifor has been lobbying for supports for local news for many years and will continue to fight for journalists and media workers on the ground. Our union is creating a special advisory committee to prioritize the many issues media workers in the sector face, in a way that’s meaningful and effective to them.
Unifor also provides supports for journalists who have been harassed and are working to stop the harassment at its source, particularly with the rise of Conservative politicians like Pierre Poilievre, who criticize journalists and media workers and threaten to defund them, including the CBC.
Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy and human rights. Without it, societies lose the ability to hold the powerful accountable and speak truth to power. On November 2, we stand with journalists across the globe and call for an end to impunity for crimes committed against them.
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