Journalists declare solidarity in struggle against violence applied to their colleagues

The international organization named "Free Press Unlimited", engaged in support of the freedom of speech, has declared that crimes against journalists remain unpunished. The media professionals, who have signed the statement, undertake to cover cases of violence against their colleagues and put pressure on those who contribute to such crimes.

The "Free Press Unlimited" has distributed the statement on behalf of publishers, journalists and other participants of the media community in connection with the International Day Against Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, which is marked on November 2.

"Being engaged in journalism becomes more and more dangerous all over the world," the statement says.

Thus, in the world, every five days a journalist perishes; the number of media workers in jails is a record high; and they are regularly persecuted.

The statement especially emphasizes the frequent attacks on mass media by political leaders "who disrespect criticism if it is contrary to their interests."

"In countries such as the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Russia and India, which position themselves as democratic ones, officials and criminal groupings escape responsibility for assassinating journalists," says the report "Global Impunity Index 2017" compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

In the index of 2017, the leaders are Somalia, Syria and Iraq. Russia takes the ninth place.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.