The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has released its 2024 Global Impunity Index, revealing that 80 percent of cases involving the murder of journalists go unpunished globally. Israel has been identified as the world’s second-worst offender in allowing the killers of journalists to evade justice, following Haiti which tops the list. Countries such as Somalia, Syria, and South Sudan also rank high on the list of allowing journalists’ killers to go unpunished. The CPJ index includes both democracies and non-democratic governments and highlights the lack of accountability in cases where journalists are targeted for their work.
Haiti’s rise in the index is attributed to the destabilization caused by criminal gangs, which have hindered the country’s ability to resolve at least seven cases of murdered journalists. Israel, on the other hand, has appeared on the index for the first time due to its failure to hold anyone accountable for the targeted killing of five journalists in Gaza and Lebanon during a period of intense conflict. The CPJ is investigating the killings of at least 10 journalists in Israel, but acknowledges that the actual number of murdered journalists might be higher considering the scale of the conflicts in the region.
CPJ Chief Executive Jodie Ginsberg has accused Israel of deliberately targeting journalists, with some cases involving Israeli authorities labeling reporters as “terrorists” without evidence. She also mentioned instances where journalists were clearly targeted due to the lack of other individuals in the vicinity. Over the past year, at least 128 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, making it the deadliest time for journalists in over four decades of CPJ tracking. Ginsberg emphasized the importance of holding those responsible for killing journalists accountable to prevent the silencing of media workers.
Mexico has recorded the highest number of unpunished murders of journalists (21) during the index period and ranks eighth on the list due to its large population. Asian countries like Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan, and the Philippines have consistently appeared on the index since its inception, indicating ongoing challenges to press freedom and journalist safety in the region. The CPJ has called on the international community to support and protect journalists, highlighting that impunity for attacks on media workers sends a dangerous message that killing journalists is acceptable and could discourage others from reporting on critical issues.
The CPJ’s Global Impunity Index sheds light on the lack of accountability in cases of journalist murders worldwide, with Israel and Haiti ranking among the top offenders. The index highlights the need for governments to prioritize press freedom, protect journalists, and ensure that those responsible for attacks on media workers are held accountable. Despite the challenges faced by journalists in various countries, the CPJ continues to advocate for press freedom and the safety of journalists, emphasizing the importance of upholding international standards to prevent impunity in cases of violence against media workers.
