• CADHP calls on African governments to toughen penalties for crimes against journalists.
• Digital attacks, especially gender-based, are rising sharply across the continent.
• Nearly 85% of global crimes against journalists remain unpunished, according to UNESCO.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (CADHP) has urged African states to strengthen sanctions against crimes targeting journalists. The Commission issued the call in a statement on November 2, marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

UNESCO data published in 2024 shows that about 85% of crimes committed against journalists worldwide go unpunished, underscoring the persistent risks facing media professionals.

CADHP condemned physical assaults, arbitrary detentions, intimidation and cyberharassment, noting that such acts violate freedom of expression protected under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The Commission said violence, once mostly physical, has increasingly shifted into the digital space. It warned of a surge in online attacks, many with a gender component. A 2022 study by the International Center for Journalists reported that 73% of women journalists have experienced digital violence, including 25% facing physical threats and 18% facing sexual threats.

The Commission recommended that African governments adopt gender-sensitive legislation, conduct systematic investigations, and integrate protection for women journalists in legal frameworks, in line with its resolution ACHPR/Res. 522 (LXXII) 2022.

CADHP stressed that silencing journalists undermines democracy and deprives citizens of their right to information. It said cybersecurity for media and action against online violence are essential to guarantee a safe and open environment for journalists.

The call comes amid a worsening climate for press freedom. The International Press Institute (IPI) 2024 report recorded 376 violations or threats against the press in sub-Saharan Africa, involving at least 480 journalists.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou