New data published by UNESCO to coincide with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists shows that attacks and crimes are particularly high during electoral periods and require enhanced measures from governments to ensure freedom of expression and access to information.
Data collected from January 2019 to June 2022, shows that 759 journalists and media professionals were attacked while working 89 elections around the world.
Of these, 42% (320) were attacked by law enforcement agents, and 29% of attacked journalists (218) were women.
This is detailed in a new report: The role of law enforcement agents: ensuring safety of journalists during public demonstrations and elections, released today, with a fact sheet highlighting disturbing trends.
