FAJ Calls on African Union and Governments to Protect Journalists

November 4, 2014

The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the Africa regional group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today called on the African Union to adopt the resolution on the safety of journalists in Africa and the African Governments to end impunity for all crimes against journalists.

The call was made today by FAJ president Mohamed Garba during a gathering by UNESCO on the occasion of the commemoration of the international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists. “It is disheartening to note that, for the last decade, Africa had recorded some of the highest levels of violence targeting journalists in the world. These statistics are unacceptable to the Nigeria Union of Journalists and to the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)” said the FAJ president speaking to a gathering.

Last year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution on the safety of journalists and proclaimed the 02 November as the international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists. The date marks the assassination of two French journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in Mali in 2013. Protecting the safety of journalists and ensuring that crimes committed against them do not go unpunished is ever-more important in today's changing times in order to build transparent societies and keep citizens around the world informed, the UN said yesterday 02 November marking the first-ever International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

No journalist anywhere should have to risk their life to report the news, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message on the inaugural Day. A free and open press is part of the bedrock of democracy and development, he added.

“As we observe this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, NUJ and FAJ are committed to the campaigns against attacks and impunity on the press, we reiterate our commitment to press freedom and the pursuit of justice and protection for Journalists in dangerous and distress situations within and outside Africa. We also call on all stakeholders to join in the war against impunity on the press worldwide” said the FAJ President.


For more information, please contact FAJ Secretariat: +221 33 867 95 86/87 The FAJ represents more than 50,000 journalists in 40 countries in Africa


International Federation of Journalists - Africa Regional Office 3rd Floor, Immeuble Seynabou, Lot N°4 et 6; Sacré Coeur 3, VDN BP 64257, Dakar, Senegal Tel: +221- 33 867 95 86/87; Fax: +221- 33 827 02 50 www.ifjafrique.org; www.ifj.org

For more information contact:
Federation of African Journalists
Phone: +221 33 867 95 86/87