UN Calls for Protection of Journalists Amid Killings and Imprisonment in Myanmar

The United Nations has urged stronger protections for journalists worldwide, highlighting the dangers faced by media workers in conflict zones and authoritarian regimes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres made the call on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of press freedom during the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. “When journalists are silenced, we all lose our voices. Let us stand together to defend press freedom, demand accountability, and ensure those who speak truth to power can do so without fear,” Guterres said.

The British Embassy in Yangon noted that Myanmar remains one of the countries with the highest number of imprisoned journalists. Since the military takeover in 2021, at least seven journalists have been killed, over 200 detained, and 51—including female reporters—remain in jail. The embassy commended the courage of Myanmar’s media workers, particularly women journalists, who face harassment both online and offline, while condemning all violations of media freedom.

The UN and international partners called on authorities to ensure accountability for attacks on journalists and to safeguard independent reporting, which they described as vital for democracy and human rights.