As Crimes Against Journalists Rise, U.S. Calls For International Condemnation And Accountability

The U.S. on Wednesday said it has seen an increase in governments reaching beyond their borders through misuse of digital surveillance tools that track journalists’ communications and whereabouts.

"Digital surveillance and online threats can fuel offline threats and violence, ultimately constraining journalists’ ability to report accurate information," the State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement and called on the international community to take a stand against physical attacks, intimidation lawsuits, transnational repression, and regulatory pressures that silence media—online and offline. 

Price's remarks came on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. "We reiterate our calls for justice for brave journalists across the globe," he told the daily press briefing, adding that 294 journalists were languishing in jail for doing their work as of last December.

"Increasingly, journalists face threats and attacks online, where identifying and holding to account the perpetrator can be difficult," he added.

Asked by TURAN's Washington correspondent whether the Biden Administration was planning to appoint a special representative on press freedom issues, Price said, they are considering "the means through which we can most effectively support" the cause of press freedom, of freedom of information, and to hold to account those who are responsible for some of the crimes, repression, violence against journalists that in some cases have led to the loss of life and physical injury.

"... Ultimately, this is something that Secretary Blinken cares deeply about. It is the responsibility of the United States to speak out when the universal values that we cherish and we protect and we promote around the world come under threat, as they do with media freedom, when that itself comes under threat," he added.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.