'When Journalists are Targeted, Society as a whole Pays the Price' says UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

The United Nations Secretary General has urged Governments across the World to to take strong steps to ensure accountability for violence and attacks against journalists, and re-verse the trend of impunity.

Antonio Guterres made the call-in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists being observed today.

The secretary general paid tribute to the journalists working under conditions of threat and intimidations and warned that threats to journalists affect societies as well.

“I am little troubled by the growing number of attacks and the culture of impunity, and I call on governments and the international community to protect journalists and to create the conditions they need to do their work," said Mr Guterres. 

He said; "their work and that of their fallen colleagues reminds us that truth never dies, neither must our commitment to the fundamental right to freedom of expression. Reporting is not a crime. 

Stressing the need to end impunity, the UN secretary general said "Together let us stand up for journalists for truth and for justice.”