Attacks on and violence against journalists is a long-standing issue in Europe and beyond. The decline tendency for the safety of journalists has persisted over the past decade, with impunity remaining extremely preoccupying.

Based on information collected by the Council of Europe Platform for the protection of journalism and safety of journalists, perpetrators of at least 22 murders of journalists in Europe are being shielded from justice. This is but another confirmation that the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists deserves a place on the global calendar.

The key role of journalists and other media actors in unveiling wrongdoing, corruption, crime and abuse of power exposes them to intimidation, threats, harassment and violence, abusive litigation, sometimes to arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and in some most extreme cases to torture and killings. In the course of their work, journalists and other media actors also face specific risks and discrimination on different grounds.

Attacks against journalists and other media actors constitute particularly serious violations of human rights because they target not only the concerned individuals, but deprive others of their right to receive information, thus undermining public debate, which is at the heart of pluralist democracy. All forms of attacks on journalists and other media actors therefore constitute attacks on democracy itself.

The above concerns require political attention at the highest level and coordinated action from governments at national and international levels, in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders. To fulfil their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, Council of Europe member states must take decisive steps to protect journalists and others who speak out from threats and violence and act to effectively prevent, investigate and sanction threats and attacks against journalists’ safety.

The Council of Europe is taking targeted action to make this happen. To protect freedom of expression and journalists as its conduits we have international standards in place, as well as detailed guidance for states on how to meet these standards. We will continue to work closely with our member states and other stakeholders to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their mission.