THE commemoration of All Souls’ Day falls on the date marked by a United Nations body as “International day to end impunity for crimes against journalists.”
While Catholics commemorate their faithful departed, the declaration by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) making Nov. 2, 2019 the day to fight impunity is a reminder of what the living can do for the dead.
Instead of commemorating death, the declaration is like a call for the living to continue to live and do whatever is possible to seek justice and make life better for those who remained.
According to Unesco, over 1,000 journalists have been murdered over the past 12 years. “The prospects for justice in most of these cases are remote and we are fighting to change this. It’s not work that lends itself to quick successes. As the expression goes, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. We embrace every win, large and small,” the Ifex said in a press kit on the commemoration. Ifex (ifex.org) is a global network “defending and promoting free expression.” It cited progress in the prosecution of cases stemming from the killings of journalists in Colombia, Gambia and Kyrgyzstan.
It made no mention of the Philippines in the press kit although the country has seen journalists getting killed for their media work or other affiliations. Some of those killed may have been involved in illegal drugs or in corruption but they did not deserve to be killed outright. They should have been arrested, charged and brought to court.
For the living, there are steps to take to push for an end to crimes against journalists. The Ifex listed “10 things people are doing right now to end impunity and make it safer to be a journalist.” Among them are:
Using, not abusing, the power of legislation. Ifex said groups are campaigning for national laws that establish safety mechanisms, special prosecutors, source protection and other measures while opposing laws that actually target journalists in the name of countering defamation, terrorism, cyber-crime and hate speech.
Contributing to strong networks for freelance journalists. It said freelance journalists often lack the institutional protections and safety equipment afforded to accredited journalists backed by major media houses. There are international initiatives that build a sense of community and promote safety and professional standards.
Not only journalists but those who lost loved ones and the public, in general, can make a global pledge to defend media freedom. The Ifex said there is now a coalition of countries dedicated to standing up for media freedom and responding collectively whenever journalists are threatened or attacked.
The Ifex then urged people to keep the “light on” because “impunity thrives in darkness.” Those who fight for media freedom, Ifex said, do so sometimes at personal risk. It would mean a lot if others gave powerful reminders to government to solve killings of journalists.
The day for the living is a day to act.