According to a recent report by the International Press Institute (IPI), crimes against journalists are being committed with increasing impunity. This issue has come to a head as governments were found to consistently fail in their duty to investigate these cases thoroughly. The release of the report was strategically timed, coming just before The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, an event marked annually on 2nd November.
The origins of this internationally recognized day trace back to December 2013 when the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed it in one of its resolutions. The member states were then urged to implement measures to counter the culture of impunity strongly. This specific date was chosen in remembrance of the tragic assassination of two French journalists in Mali on the same day in 2013.
Understanding the International Press Institute: Formation and Purpose
Since we have mentioned the IPI prominently, it is essential to understand what this organization is and its purpose. Based in Vienna, IPI is a global network of media executives, editors, and leading journalists who are united by their commitment to high-quality, independent journalism.
IPI’s formation dates back to 1950 when 34 editors from 15 different countries congregated at Columbia University with a common aim: to promote and safeguard press freedom and enhance the standards of journalistic practices. These visionaries successfully formed what is now known as the global organization – IPI. As of 2020, the organization celebrated its 70th anniversary, a testament to its enduring influence and importance.
The original Secretariat of IPI was set up a year after its conception, in 1951, and was located in Zürich, Switzerland. It then moved to London in 1976, before settling in Vienna in 1992, where it currently operates from.
Primary Objectives of the International Press Institute
The IPI is driven by two primary objectives. First, it works to create an environment that allows journalism to fulfil its public function effectively. A crucial aspect of this is the media’s ability to operate free from interference and without fear of retaliation, ensuring the free flow of information and news.
Secondly, the institute defends media freedom and the free flow of news around the world, especially in areas where these fundamental rights are threatened. These objectives underline the work done by the IPI and form the basis of its global operations.
Therefore, the recent report released by IPI sheds light on an alarming issue, the increasing impunity of crimes against journalists worldwide, precisely what the organization strives to counteract. Through highlighting this issue, the IPI continues its pivotal role in advocating for press freedom and journalistic safety.