A day to end impunity

Global Journalist joins IFEX in the fight to end impunity and bring justice to journalists' killers.

Every year no fewer than 30 journalists are murdered. In most cases, there is neither investigation nor punishment. Advocates for freedom of expression have joined efforts worldwide in a 23-day campaign to stop impunity.

The Day To End Impunity campaign is sponsored by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange network (IFEX).

The campaign’s video not only invites citizens to remain informed but prompts them to act and demand justice. Every day from Nov. 1 to Nov. 23, the campaign reveals the name of a journalist who has been threatened or attacked and whose perpetrators have evaded justice.

Citizens can send letters to officials and demand the end of the harassment of journalists.

María Salazar-Ferro, a reporter and the campaign’s coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, explained the action is intended to increase public awareness about what creates and sustains the culture of impunity.

The campaign was launched a year ago, on Nov. 23, 2011, to mark the anniversary of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines. Thirty-two journalists were murdered while covering the governor’s race in the country’s Maguindanao province.

Today, Global Journalist joins the efforts to shed light on the culture of impunity that allows perpetrators to gag those who exercise freedom of expression: reporters, writers, photographers, cartoonists, artists and bloggers. We at Global Journalist support the effort to challenge the powerful who abuse their position and champion the fight to end the suppression of free speech.

By Kevin Dubouis.