A Day To Dwell On A Few Choice Words

Michael Hedges November 2, 2018 - Follow on Twitter

The word impunity has a certain ring to it. In media circles it is more like a klaxon. Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action, says the Oxford Dictionary. The original Latin is impunitas - unpunished. On the street it means getting away with something.

The United Nations General Assembly in 2015 recognized November 2nd as International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. It followed from an earlier initiative from freedom of expression advocate IFEX (International Freedom of Expression Exchange). UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has facilitated commemoration. Every year since the great and the good offer solemn words. Intimidating, threatening, trolling, beating, raping, bombing and murdering media workers in pursuit of informing the public continues.

"Journalists around the world face threats and attacks, often instigated by government officials, organised crime, or terrorist groups. Political leaders incite hostility by framing reporters as 'enemies of the people' or ‘terrorists’,” said the statement (October 31) from the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights. “These last weeks have demonstrated once again the toxic nature and outsized reach of political incitement against journalists, and we demand that it stop.”

The phrase “enemies of the people” is common to US president Donald Trump for deflecting critical reporting. It has been used throughout history, often by dictators and autocrats to denounce perceived enemies and politically convenient targets. More than a dozen pipe bombs were recently sent by a supporter of Mr. Trump to targets he frequently reviles, including news channel CNN.

The murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Istanbul, Turkey consulate of Saudi Arabia on October 2nd, and the attendant media coverage, has brought this years observation into bleak focus. A Saudi national, Mr. Khashoggi was last seen alive entering the consulate to retrieve personal documents. Details from Saudi government and consular officials changed several times before an admission that he was strangled. Turkish authorities released, officially and unofficially, other hard to confirm details; a hit squad, dismemberment. The culprits may never see a courtroom. This is called impunity.

“A journalist’s murder simply because of his or her activity is a scandal, but a far bigger scandal is that nine out of every 10 journalists’ murders remain unpunished,” said International Federation of Journalists president Philippe Leruth in a statement (October 31). “The Khashoggi case, like all the others, illustrates that journalists are singled out as a target and as such they need dedicated protection.” The IFJ and other media freedom advocates are seeking support for a UN Convention enshrining protections for media workers into international law.

The International Press Institute (IPI) called its executive board to meet in Bratislava, Slovakia on November 2nd. The date and place were chosen to draw attention to the murders earlier this year of investigative reporter Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová, his fiancée, both shot to death. While several Slovak officials either stepped down or were fired in the aftermath and suspected perpetrators arrested, many questions remain.

“We welcome the recent progress in the Kuciak investigation, but we also know that impunity is a stubborn foe, “said IPI executive director Executive Director Barbara Trionfi in a statement (October 23). “The path to justice remains long, and IPI and its members around the world will continue to raise our voice until all those responsible for this crime are indicted, prosecuted and jailed.” The IPI executive board intends to hold its semi-annual meeting in Bratislava until the investigation is complete.

“Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems,” said the WAN IFRA (World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers) statement (November 1). “UNESCO is concerned that impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime. Governments, civil society, the media, and everyone concerned to uphold the rule of law are being asked to join in the global efforts to end impunity.” The November 2nd campaign is tracked by hashtag #TruthNeverDies.

See also...

• Hot Topics - Press/Media Freedom

• Hot Topics - Investigative Reporting