Amb. Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies has called on governments, international organisations and the global community to take urgent action to protect journalists and ensure that those responsible for attacks and killings of media professionals are brought to justice.
In a statement marking the 2026 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Monday, November 2, Adesanya-Davies warned that the continued killing of journalists poses a serious threat to press freedom, democracy and the public’s right to reliable information.
The journalist, human rights advocate and public affairs commentator stressed that journalists should not lose their lives for reporting the truth, urging the international community to unite against attacks on media professionals.
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Global Report Highlights Rising Concerns Over Journalist Safety
Adesanya-Davies cited figures from international media monitoring organisations showing that journalists and media workers continue to face serious threats across different parts of the world.
According to the figures contained in her statement, the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists recorded at least 30 media professionals killed worldwide as of October 30, 2026.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also reportedly recorded 25 journalists killed since January 1, 2026, while 466 journalists and media workers remained detained globally.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), meanwhile, reported that 15 journalists and media workers had been killed in direct connection with their work in 2026, including five in Palestine, five in Lebanon, two in Colombia, two in Yemen and one in Somalia.
The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) also reported 39 journalist killings during the first half of the year, with Lebanon, Gaza, Mexico and the Philippines among the affected locations.
The statement further highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict in Gaza, where at least 203 Palestinian journalists and media workers have reportedly been killed since the war began in October 2023.
Adesanya-Davies noted that although some monitoring figures indicate a reduction in journalist deaths compared with the previous year, every journalist killed represents a serious loss to society.
Adesanya-Davies Raises Alarm Over Impunity
Beyond the killings themselves, Adesanya-Davies identified the lack of accountability as one of the biggest challenges facing journalists worldwide.
Citing UNESCO figures, she said approximately 86 per cent of journalist killings remain judicially unresolved, meaning that many perpetrators have not been brought to justice.
She noted that more than 1,600 journalists were killed worldwide between 2006 and 2025, with only a fraction of the cases resulting in justice.
According to her, the failure to investigate and prosecute those responsible encourages further attacks and creates an environment where journalists can be targeted without consequences.
She warned that protecting journalists must go beyond public statements and require concrete action from governments and relevant international institutions.
Four Demands to Governments and International Organisations
To address the growing concerns, Adesanya-Davies outlined four major demands directed at governments, the United Nations, the African Union and the international community.
1. Investigation and Prosecution of Killers
She called for immediate and thorough investigations into the killings of journalists, insisting that both those who carry out the attacks and those who plan or finance them must face justice.
2. Protection of Journalists in Conflict Zones
She urged governments and international bodies to ensure that journalists are protected as civilians under International Humanitarian Law.
She also called for an end to the deliberate targeting of media professionals in conflict areas, particularly in Gaza, Lebanon and other regions experiencing armed violence.
3. International Convention on Journalist Safety
Adesanya-Davies expressed support for the International Federation of Journalists’ call for a binding international convention that would guarantee the safety and independence of journalists.
She maintained that a stronger international legal framework would help improve accountability and protect media professionals carrying out their duties.
4. Better Protection for Local Journalists
She also drew attention to the vulnerability of local journalists, who often report from dangerous environments without adequate protective equipment, insurance, security training or emergency evacuation support.
She called for increased investment in safety programmes and other forms of assistance for journalists working within their communities.
‘Journalism Is Not a Crime’
Reaffirming the importance of press freedom, Adesanya-Davies said journalists should never be treated as criminals for carrying out their professional responsibilities.
She called for global solidarity with the families of journalists who have lost their lives in Palestine, Lebanon, Colombia, Yemen, Somalia, Mexico, the Philippines, Nigeria and other parts of the world.
She maintained that the protection of journalists is essential to sustaining democracy, defending human rights and ensuring that citizens have access to credible information.
“Stop killing journalists. Protect press freedom. End impunity now,” she declared.
The statement was signed by Amb. Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, who described herself as a media advocate, human rights defender and public affairs commentator, as well as a Peace Consul of United Nations POLAC, bishop and educationist.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is observed annually on November 2 to draw attention to attacks against journalists and the need to ensure accountability for crimes committed against media professionals.
