On November 2, 2024, the United Nations observed the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, drawing attention to a troubling increase in journalist deaths in Gaza, which is the highest recorded in any conflict in recent history. As revealed in UNESCO’s latest Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists, the past year saw a shocking 38% increase in journalist killings, with Gaza setting a new, unprecedented record.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence, urging governments worldwide to strengthen protections for journalists, swiftly investigate attacks against them, and ensure accountability. “The ongoing ban preventing international journalists from entering Gaza suffocates the truth even further,” Guterres remarked, emphasising the impact of these restrictions on global media coverage and public awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. During the 2024 UN International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East, Cheikh Niang, head of the UN Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, raised concerns over the deaths of over 130 Palestinian journalists last year, many reporting on potential war crimes. Similarly, UNESCO’s Chief of Freedom of Expression, Guilherme Canela, supported these concerns, warning of rising global distrust of journalists due to divisive political narratives.

While international institutions have consistently called for safety measures for journalists, effective solutions remain insufficient, and the urgency is growing. Given the concerning developments in Gaza, it is essential to improve both regional and international mechanisms that can safeguard journalists, especially in volatile areas. Ensuring freedom of the press and maintaining the public’s access to information are pillars of democratic governance. Each instance of violence against a journalist underscores a broader failure of legal systems to protect media personnel. The UN’s renewed call for action is commendable, but more assertive efforts to ensure compliance are necessary to achieve meaningful change.

Journalists have faced heightened risks worldwide for years, particularly in conflict zones. According to UNESCO, more than 1,700 journalists have been killed between 2006 and 2024, with around 85% of these cases remaining unresolved. The organisation’s 2024 report shows that while some progress has been made—impunity rates have fallen from 95% in 2012 to 85% in 2024—the shift is insufficient. Female journalists have also faced an uptick in violence, with 14 women journalists killed in the past two years, the highest rate since 2017. In response, UNESCO has introduced new initiatives aimed at protecting journalists, including a guide for psychologists to support reporters in crisis zones and a Global Repository of National Safety Mechanisms designed to prevent violence against journalists.

The ongoing crisis in Gaza highlights the precarious state of press freedom and the safety of journalists, as the UN Secretary-General emphasised that the silencing of journalists “suffocates the truth,” denying the public essential information and fostering misinformation. This critical situation necessitates urgent action from the international community to establish and enforce strong protective frameworks for journalists operating in conflict zones.

UNESCO’s upcoming conference on the Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies on November 6 will address these vital issues and explore strategies to combat impunity. The devastating impacts of restricted press access in Gaza could lead to renewed commitments to journalist protection and greater media freedom, but meaningful progress relies on global leaders actively promoting and enforcing international standards. The prevailing impunity for crimes against journalists fuels a cycle of violence and silence. Only through concerted and dedicated efforts can the global community hope to prevent such tragedies in the future.