International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists: EU calls on all states to protect journalists and investigate crimes against them
The EU will continue to defend independent journalism worldwide and provide the necessary support to ensure that journalists can carry out their critical work, said a joint statement to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, signed by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Micheal McGrath. The Day is celebrated on 2 November.
“Violence against journalists undermines the very foundations of open, free and democratic societies. Yet across the world, journalists continue to be killed, tortured, harassed, detained and forced into exile simply for doing their job and holding power to account,” the statement says. “In our human rights dialogues with partners worldwide, the EU advocates for media freedom, including by raising concrete cases of journalists facing harassment or being killed for their work.”
The statement pays special attention to the safety of journalists reporting from armed conflicts, which “faces particular danger”: “International humanitarian law is very clear: journalists are civilians who must be protected at all times. Any attack or act of intimidation against them must be investigated promptly, independently and effectively. Perpetrators must be held to account.”
The statement provides specific data: the International Federation of Journalists reports that 15 journalists have been killed so far in 2026, while the Committee to Protect Journalists has counted 34 killings.
The Commissioners also say that the EU has increased its support for independent media globally. By the end of 2025, the European Commission had launched more than 100 projects in 56 countries, alongside global programmes supporting independent media.
The ProtectDefenders.eu mechanism offers dedicated protection to journalists at risk as human rights defenders, including emergency support, relocation or capacity building. Nearly 13,000 journalists have benefited since the mechanism was established in 2015. In 2025 alone at least 686 individual journalists at risk benefited from assistance under the mechanism.
There are several other targeted programmes supporting independent media all over the world, managed by various Commission Directorates-General (INTPA, ENEST, MENA, FPI). Special attention is given to women journalists, those reporting on minority groups or from areas with little news coverage.
The Commission’s annual enlargement report assesses progress in all candidate countries and potential candidates and makes country-specific recommendations on freedom of expression and media freedom, including the safety of journalists. In addition, the EU supports a Europe-wide rapid response mechanism which monitors and supports media freedom and journalists’ safety.
On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the EU calls on all States to fulfill their obligations: protect journalists, investigate crimes against them and bring those responsible to justice. “Impunity must end,” concludes the statement.
Find out more
We are the lungs of democracy: reviving local independent media in Ukraine
The post International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists: EU calls on all states to protect journalists and investigate crimes against them appeared first on EU NEIGHBOURS east.
