RismadarVoice Reporters, May 4, 2026
The United Nations has raised fresh concerns over the safety of journalists worldwide, revealing that an overwhelming majority of crimes committed against media professionals are neither investigated nor punished.
Speaking to mark World Press Freedom Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres disclosed that 85 per cent of crimes against journalists remain unresolved, describing the trend as an “unacceptable level of impunity.”
The UN chief warned that such widespread failure to hold perpetrators accountable continues to undermine press freedom and weaken democratic institutions globally. According to him, a free and independent media remains central to transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights.
“Without press freedom, there can be no human rights, no sustainable development, and no peace,” Guterres said, stressing the critical role journalists play as watchdogs in society.
The statement comes amid growing global concerns about the safety of journalists, with the UN highlighting increasing threats ranging from physical attacks to legal intimidation and digital harassment. Economic pressures, emerging technologies, and the deliberate spread of misinformation were also identified as key challenges confronting modern journalism.
The Secretary-General noted that when access to credible information is compromised, it fuels public mistrust and distorts democratic discourse, ultimately weakening social cohesion and governance structures.
The annual observance of World Press Freedom Day, rooted in the 1991 Windhoek Declaration, serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding media independence and protecting journalists from harm.
The UN’s latest warning reinforces longstanding concerns by global media watchdogs that impunity for crimes against journalists not only emboldens perpetrators but also poses a direct threat to freedom of expression worldwide.
