CAJ Focus: Reflecting on the Safety of Journalists in Africa and the Role of the African Media Lawyers Network(AMLN).

Press Statement by the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ). On the Occasion of the 10th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI).
Global Theme: Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies.
Nairobi/Kenya-November 2, 2024 Today, the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) joins the world in commemorating the 10th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI). This day is a solemn reminder of the countless journalists across Africa and the globe who risk their lives in crises and emergencies to report the truth. Their courage illuminates darkness, their work speaks for the silenced, and their voices echo where others are unable or unwilling to go.This year’s global theme, “Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies,” rings especially true for Africa, where journalists face dangers on multiple fronts—political oppression,conflict, natural disasters, and health crises. These crises make the need for accurate and timely information critical. Yet, for those who take on the mantle of public trust, the stakes have become intolerably high. Many have faced harassment, arbitrary detention, violence,and even death.CAJ stands unwaveringly committed to the safety and security of every African journalist. We recognize the noble sacrifices made by those who, despite threats, report the facts, ask the hard questions, and hold governments to account. Journalists are not just witnesses; they are defenders of truth, champions of transparency, and guardians of democracy. Our collective conscience must therefore demand that their safety is prioritized, their rights protected, and their work respected.Through the support of the African Media Lawyers Network (AMLN), CAJ is working to ensure that journalists have access to legal protection and representation. The AMLN provides a shield of defense in the face of escalating threats. By challenging impunity and supporting journalists with robust legal representation, the AMLN stands as a vital safeguard for freedom of expression on our continent.To the governments of Africa, we send a resounding message: Respect press freedom. Respect
freedom of expression. These are not mere principles but lifelines of democracy, for
democracy itself dies in darkness. A nation without a free press is a nation without
accountability, transparency, and trust. Journalism is the oxygen of democracy, and those who stifle it suffocate the rights and freedoms of their own citizens.We call on African leaders to end impunity by ensuring that crimes against journalists are
promptly investigated and prosecuted. We implore all African countries to enforce policies that guarantee journalists’ safety, especially during crises and emergencies when their work is most vital. The African Union’s Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, alongside the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, must not be mere words but a call to action across our continent.Today, we remember those who lost their lives in service to truth, and we honor their legacy by demanding justice. Their sacrifices call upon us all—governments, civil society, and
individuals alike—to protect those who continue their work. CAJ pledges to remain vigilant and proactive in championing the rights of journalists across Africa, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten, and their cause never forsaken.Let us stand united in our commitment to a free press. Let us foster a future where journalists report without fear, where truth flourishes, and where the stories that need to be told are shared with courage and integrity. Together, we must create an Africa where no journalist stands alone, and no crime against a journalist goes unpunished.