Journalist killings: Adesanya-Davies seeks global action against impunity

Journalist and human rights advocate, Amb. Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, has called for urgent international action to end the killing of journalists and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Adesanya-Davies made the appeal on Monday, November 2, 2026, to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, warning that persistent attacks on media professionals threaten press freedom, democracy and the public’s right to information.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, she urged governments, the United Nations, African Union and other international organisations to prioritise journalists’ safety and ensure the prosecution of those responsible for attacks against media workers.

She warned that the continued killing of journalists without accountability would embolden perpetrators and further undermine access to reliable and diverse information.

Citing figures from international media monitoring organisations, Adesanya-Davies said at least 30 media professionals had been killed worldwide in 2026 as of October 30, according to UNESCO’s Observatory of Killed Journalists.

She also cited Reporters Without Borders (RSF) figures indicating that 25 journalists had been killed since January, while 466 journalists and media workers were being detained globally.

According to her, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) recorded 15 journalists and media workers killed in direct connection with their work this year, including victims in Palestine, Lebanon, Colombia, Yemen and Somalia.

She further referenced the Press Emblem Campaign, which reported 39 journalist deaths in the first half of 2026, with Lebanon, Gaza, Mexico and the Philippines among the affected locations.

Expressing particular concern over the situation in Gaza, Adesanya-Davies said at least 203 Palestinian journalists and media workers had been killed since the outbreak of the war in October 2023, citing figures attributed to the IFJ and Palestinian Journalists Syndicate.

Although the reported number of journalist deaths had declined compared with the corresponding period last year, she said the loss of even one media professional remained unacceptable.

Adesanya-Davies identified impunity as one of the greatest threats to journalists worldwide, citing UNESCO figures indicating that 86 per cent of journalist killings remained judicially unresolved.

She added that more than 1,600 journalists had been killed globally between 2006 and 2025, with only about one in seven cases resulting in justice.

To address the situation, she outlined four key demands, beginning with immediate investigations and prosecution of everyone involved in journalist killings, including those who finance, plan or order such attacks.

She also called on governments and parties involved in armed conflicts to respect journalists’ status as civilians under international humanitarian law, insisting that deliberate attacks against media professionals must be stopped and prosecuted.

The media advocate expressed support for an International Federation of Journalists-led campaign for a binding international convention to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists.

On the protection of local journalists, she said those reporting from their own communities were particularly vulnerable because many lacked protective equipment, insurance, adequate training and emergency evacuation support.

She therefore urged increased investment in their safety and professional welfare, stressing that journalism should never be treated as a crime.

Adesanya-Davies also expressed solidarity with the families of journalists killed in Palestine, Lebanon, Colombia, Yemen, Somalia, Mexico, the Philippines, Nigeria and other parts of the world.

She maintained that protecting journalists was essential to safeguarding press freedom, democracy and the public’s right to know.

“When a journalist is silenced, democracy dies,” she declared, renewing her appeal for an end to the killing of journalists and the culture of impunity surrounding such crimes.

Adesanya-Davies is also a media advocate, human rights defender, public affairs commentator, Peace Consul of the United Nations POLAC, bishop and educationist.