Sir

Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. Every person depends on media for news and information. It is their duty to raise their voice against any injustice but very sad part is that media people are not free to raise their voice. They are always in a fear of losing their life and family.  Being a journalist it a life-threatening occupation.

Over the past few decades numbers of journalists have been killed for bringing news and information to the public and recently also  two newspaper journalists, of’ Hindustan’ and ‘The Telegraph’ had to face this. Many of these deaths are unsolved murders and only some of them have got justice. This weakens the law and justice system and does not allow the journalists to do their duty properly.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution at its 68th session in 2013 which proclaimed the 2nd November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’. The Resolution urged Member States to implement measures for countering the present culture of impunity (exemption from punishment). The date was chosen in a tribute of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013. They were seen being beaten before they were driven away in a truck. Some sources say their bodies were found riddled with bullets, while others report their throats may have been cut.

This day condemns all attacks and violence against media workers and journalists and urges Member States to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability, bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies.

This day is very important as it a step towards the safety of journalists. It gives strength to media people and promotes a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference for the betterment of the society.

Yours truly

Seema Kumari, BMC 3^rd Semester, St. Xavier’s College of Mgmt and Technology, Digha Patna

  crime, letters, United Nations, violence