AU Commission and African Journalists’ Federation Call for Action to End Impunity

GOOBJOOG NEWS|ADDIS ABABA: The African Union Commission and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) have called on African governments to strengthen protections for journalists and ensure attacks against them are investigated and punished.

In a joint statement marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye and FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman expressed solidarity with journalists and media workers across Africa who have been killed, injured, detained, threatened or forced into exile.

They said attacks on journalists violate fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and access to information, and can prevent communities from taking part in public life.

This year’s global focus, “Threats evolve. Impunity endures,” highlights changing risks to journalists, including those created by new technologies and weapons, while perpetrators continue to evade accountability, the statement said.

Journalists across the continent face killings, physical attacks, arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearance, intimidation, legal harassment and digital abuse. Female journalists are particularly exposed to gender-based threats, harassment and online violence, the statement added. Those covering conflicts, elections, corruption and human rights violations often work under severe pressure.

The two organisations urged AU Member States to meet their obligations under African and international human rights law. They called on governments to establish or strengthen national journalist-safety mechanisms, train law enforcement to respect journalists’ role, and protect media workers covering protests, elections, emergencies and armed conflict.

They also warned against using laws to intimidate journalists or obstruct legitimate reporting, and urged governments to address digital threats—including surveillance, harassment and technology-facilitated gender-based violence—while safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression.

The statement called for closer cooperation among public authorities, regional and continental institutions, media organisations, journalists’ unions and civil society. It said journalists and their representative organisations should be involved in designing and monitoring safety measures.

“Every journalist must be able to report without fear of violence or reprisal,” the statement said, reaffirming the organisations’ commitment to a continent where crimes against journalists are investigated and punished.