Violence against journalists must be investigated: UNESCO

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) insists that violence against journalists must be investigated, so that the offenders are prosecuted to end impunity for such crimes.

"The fact is that the harassment of journalists or acts of violence against them should be investigated, and the offenders should be brought to justice," UNESCO's Assistant Director-General Communication and Information Frank La Rue stated on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day here on Tuesday.

If the cases are not investigated, such instances will recur, and violence against journalists will increase.

"Hence, this is why the UNESCO has reported on issues of impunity related to the assassination of journalists," he noted.

It is necessary to conduct an investigation to avoid mere speculation about the cause of violence.

Hence, a dialogue mechanism between civil society and law enforcement officers should be in place to find the reasons behind the violence against journalists.

Moreover, policies are also needed to prevent acts of violence, for instance, by holding capacity building programs for both security officers and journalists.

"Moreover, social reconciliation with media owners as well as support for their staff is necessary along with setting up a mechanism for their protection," La Rue stated.

In addition to safety, UNESCO promotes the freedom of press and access to information, privacy, and protection of the confidentiality of resources.

In Indonesia, 71 cases of violence against journalists were reported in 2016, or doubled as compared to 2015 and 2014.

Until April 2017, a total of 21 cases of violence against journalists were already recorded.

Among those were cases of murder that remain unsolved until now, and the perpetrators have not been prosecuted.

Journalist Muhammad Syarifuddin or Udin from Harian Bernas in Yogyakarta, journalist Naimullah working with Harian Sinar Pagi in West Kalimantan, journalist Agus Mulyawan from Asia Press in Timor Timur, cameraman Muhammad Jamaluddin at TVRI in Aceh, journalist Ersa Siregar with RCTI in Nangroe Aceh Darussalam, freelance journalist Herliyanto at Delta Pos Sidoarjo in East Java, journalist Adriansyah Matra'is Wibisono at a local TV channel in Merauke, Papua, and journalist Alfred Mirulewan from the Pelangi tabloid in Maluku were killed.