Commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
The commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists was recently marked by a round table discussion organized in Kinshasa with the participation of various key players in the press sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Under the evocative theme “The safety of journalists online in times of crisis and emergency in the DRC: current situation and perspectives”, this 10th edition was the scene of fascinating and engaged debates around the crucial issues related to the protection of journalists in an often perilous media context.
UNESCO, in partnership with the UNPC, JED and MILRDC, played a key role in organizing this major event. Professor Lino Pungi, communications consultant for UNESCO, brilliantly opened the discussions by presenting the international organization’s six-point action plan. At the heart of this plan, awareness raising, integration of standards, monitoring and reporting, capacity building and coalition building aim to ensure better protection of journalists, essential guarantors of the narration of social life and indispensable factors in the proper functioning of any democracy.
Indeed, the preservation of the integrity and freedom of the press is a crucial issue in any democratic society, and journalists occupy a primordial place as guarantors of reliable and quality information. Faced with multiple challenges, both endogenous and exogenous, media professionals in the DRC face real dangers, highlighting the urgent need for reinforced protection. The intervention of Patient Ligodi, Vice-President of MILRDC, rightly highlighted the many obstacles that Congolese journalists face on a daily basis, ranging from the lack of official identification to the threat of digital militias, including an incomplete legal framework.
In this complex context, collaboration between security forces and journalists appears to be imperative to ensure the safety of media professionals. Colonel Ramazani Nyembo, representative of the Congolese National Police, strongly advocated for training sessions aimed at fostering mutual understanding between these two key actors in society. Indeed, harmony between the press and law enforcement is essential to avoid tensions and ensure an environment conducive to the democratic exercise of journalism.
The closing of this round table by Isaias Barreto da Rosa, Head of the UNESCO Office in Kinshasa, highlighted the urgency of the situation, recalling alarming figures on crimes and violence targeting journalists around the world. Faced with these growing threats, it is essential to redouble efforts to fight impunity and guarantee freedom of expression, a fundamental pillar of any democratic and enlightened society.
In conclusion, the commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists was an opportunity to raise awareness, discuss and mobilize around a cause that is crucial for democracy. The protection of journalists is a moral and civic duty, a vital issue for the preservation of free and transparent information, which guarantees fundamental rights and the proper functioning of our modern societies. It is the responsibility of all of us to support and defend these committed professionals who work every day for our right to quality and credible information.