United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent and decisive global action to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists, warning that the failure to bring perpetrators to justice is a direct assault on press freedom and democracy.

In a statement marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists to be observed on Sunday (2 Nov), the secretary-general said media professionals around the world face “mounting perils in their pursuit of truth”, including verbal abuse, legal harassment, physical violence, imprisonment, and even death.

“Some are even killed,” Guterres said, noting that nearly nine out of 10 journalist killings worldwide remain unresolved, underscoring a pervasive culture of impunity that emboldens further violence against the press.

Highlighting the ongoing war in Gaza, the UN chief described it as “the deadliest place for journalists in any conflict”, and renewed his call for independent and impartial investigations into the killings of journalists there.

“Impunity anywhere is not only an injustice to the victims and their families – it is an assault on press freedom, an invitation to further violence, and a threat to democracy itself,” he said.

Guterres urged all governments to investigate every case, prosecute every perpetrator, and create an environment where journalists can work freely and safely.

He also drew attention to the “alarming rise in online abuse targeting women journalists”, warning that such harassment often goes unpunished and can lead to real-world harm.

“Digital spaces must be made safe for those who gather and report the news,” the secretary-general further said.

Concluding his message, Guterres said, “When journalists are silenced, we all lose our voice. Let us stand together to defend press freedom, demand accountability, and ensure those who speak truth to power can do so without fear.”