The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) says the continuous killing of journalists without consequence is unacceptable. 

In a report published on Wednesday, the agency said unresolved deaths of journalists remain at 86 per cent. 

The report, released on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, described the global immunity rate for journalist killings as “shockingly high.”

“Impunity for killings of journalists remains unacceptably high at 86 per cent,” the agency added. 

UNESCO called for strong measures to guarantee that such violations against media persons are thoroughly investigated, and the culprits are identified and punished.

 “Governments should ensure that all necessary measures to ensure that crimes committed against journalists are properly investigated and their perpetrators identified and convicted,” the report advised. 

“Freedom of expression cannot be protected when there is such a staggering number of unresolved cases,” stated UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Ms Azoulay emphasised that not severely punishing violations against journalists had a “chilling effect on investigative reporting.”

Referencing the death of 117 journalists between 2020 and 2021, with several killed gruesomely in front of their family members, the agency said it was working with member states to develop and implement national media laws and policies. 

It is also training government institutions, including judges, prosecutors and security agencies “to enforce the rights of journalists and ensure that attacks against them are investigated and prosecuted.”