Victor EzejaThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has called for a concerted effort to ensure the safety of journalists worldwide.
UNESCO noted that journalism is the only way to get the full picture and a clearer understanding of the world.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIt lamented that every day, journalists face increasing risks such as threats, censorship, violence, and even paying the ultimate price with their lives simply for reporting the truth.
The UNESCO Observatory on the Safety of Journalists said not less than 1,763 journalists have been killed globally since 1993, out of which 82 were killed in 2024 and 21 so far this year.
In a message to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on 3 May, UNESCO honured all who report facts across the world, despite the dangers on their way.
It emphasised that “Protecting journalists’ safety is critical for freedom of expression, and central to UNESCO’s mandate.”
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The statement said that as the coordinator of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, UNESCO has taken action in several ways to ensure that journalists can continue to share vital information.
According to the statement, the UN group has taken up some initiatives to support journalists working in the midst of crises and conflicts by providing technical, legal, and psychological assistance.
“A total of 550 Ukrainian journalists have received financial support since the war began,” it stated.
Worldwide, UNESCO provides legal assistance and protection to persecuted journalists, intervening in an average of 220 cases per year. It also establishes networks to document, investigate and expose threats and attacks, identifying around 50 cases annually.
“These efforts reflect a broader commitment: to uphold press freedom and ensure that the right to information remains protected — everywhere, and for all.”
This theme for 2025 World Press Freedom Day is “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
The global event, which was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation from UNESCO, underscores the importance of a free and independent press in safeguarding democracy and human rights. It also highlights the challenges faced by journalists, including censorship, harassment, and violence and honours journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
UNESCO has an annual award called “World Press Freedom Prize” that honours a person, organisation or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and, or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger. It was created in 1997 and named after the assassinated Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano Isaza. The prize for 2025 has been awarded to the Nicaraguan newspaper, La Prensa, in recognition of its exceptional resilience and commitment to independent journalism.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
