We live under the impression that the press is free, vital for a functioning democracy but the reality is far away from this.
Although abuse and attacks on journalists are not new, the reforms adopted to protect them so far did not reduce the outraging reports of hostility towards media workers. From online or in person harassment, to physical violence, imprisonment or even murder, these are all risks that our journalists have to assume before they take a report or post an article.
A vast majority of people mistakenly believe that governments utilize the media as a tool to spread their propaganda and manipulate the masses. However, they are the critical intermediaries between citizens and public institutions, holding the latter responsible for their actions and forcing transparency. They don’t only collect data, but transform it into advocacy, legal proceedings, or investigations.
With over 50% more killings than in prior years, 2022 was one of the worst years ever for journalists worldwide. Despite their vital role, this year has seen the deaths of more than 80 journalists. UNESCO, responsable of recording the number of journalists killed worldwide, declared that nearly half of the unlucky victims were targeted while off duty, whether in a public or a private environment.
Latin America is currently the most dangerous region to practice this profession, even more dangerous than Ukraine or Syria, countries at war.
Aside from the fact that authoritarian regimes in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Cuba, which make it nearly impossible to uncover the truths, we also find in countries like Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, or Peru, reporters covering organized crime and corruption facing death threats.
Topics like indigenous communities, migration or environmental problems are also very controversial.
Amal Clooney, specialized in public international law, international criminal law, and human rights has given an important example of journalists being mistreated in acceptance speech after receiving the 2018 UNCA Global Citizen of the Year Award.
In Myanmar, two defenseless reporters are seated in a cell. Malone and Chester were detained a year ago while working on a Reuters story with images of the death of ten Rohingyen Germans in Rakhine State, which the UN claims is the scene of the worst crimes against international law. The government did not want the story to be published. The journalist was tricked into going to a cafe by a policeman, who then handed them rolled-up documents and instructed them to read them when they got home. However, as soon as the journalist left, other officers were waiting to arrest them, and this is where part two of the plan comes in: a guarantee conviction for the crime of possessing secret material through a show trial.
During the trial, an extraordinary event occurred. A police officer who was a star witness for the prosecution came forward and said the truth on the stand. He testified that he had overheard a senior police chief ordering subordinates to plant these documents, which led to the staged arrest of the journalists. However, rather than the testimony clearing the defendants, the witness was accused of causing his own false conviction and is currently serving a prison sentence. Naturally, the authorities are sending a message to others about what happens when someone dares to tell the truth.
These and countless other tales highlight the chilling effect designed to prevent the revelation of the truth. However, journalists' and whistleblowers' determination wins out. Motivated by a determination to keep the public informed and hold those in positions of authority responsible, they remain unfazed. They are committed to exposing the truth, proving that the pen is still mightier than the sword.
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