Africa: AU Urges African Governments to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
The African Union has issued a call for member states to end impunity for crimes against journalists, citing a rise in physical attacks, digital abuse, and intimidation. The statement emphasizes the need for stronger legal protections to ensure democratic accountability and public access to information.
Why it matters
The safety of journalists is a fundamental pillar of democratic governance; the AU's stance highlights the growing risks to press freedom across the continent.
Nairobi - The African Union has called on African governments to strengthen mechanisms for protecting journalists and ensure attacks against media workers are investigated and prosecuted, warning that persistent impunity is undermining press freedom and democratic accountability.
In a joint statement marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Monday, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye and Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) President Omar Faruk Osman said journalists across Africa continue to face killings, physical attacks, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, intimidation and digital abuse.
The two officials urged AU Member States to take concrete measures to prevent attacks, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide effective remedies to victims.
This year's global theme, "Threats evolve. Impunity endures," highlights the changing dangers facing journalists, particularly the use of new technologies and evolving weapons against media workers covering conflicts.
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