Impunity fuels deepening crisis for African journalists
The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has highlighted a growing crisis of impunity regarding attacks on media workers across the continent. President Omar Faruk Osman noted that journalists face physical violence, legal harassment, and digital repression, with few perpetrators ever facing justice.
Why it matters
The erosion of press freedom and the lack of accountability for crimes against journalists threaten democratic processes and the public's right to information in Africa.
Speaking to Channel Africa on Monday, November 2, the day the world marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists under the theme “Threats Evolve. Impunity Endures.”
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman said attacks on media workers were continuing across the continent because perpetrators rarely faced investigation or prosecution. “Impunity is the worst enemy of media freedom on this continent,” Osman said.
“Attacks on journalists, whether intimidation, threats, arrests or killings, go unpunished in almost every corner of the continent.”
Osman said journalists faced a dual crisis involving physical violence and the misuse of legal systems.
Media workers were being killed, assaulted and forcibly disappeared while also facing arbitrary detention, fabricated charges and prosecution under restrictive laws. “Journalists are being silenced for telling Africa’s history,” Osman said. “This is unacceptable.”
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