JMEC Deputy Chairperson Amb. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said, “Peace cannot thrive in a society that lacks free and independent media. It is known world over that the media is an agent of peace and the rule of law.”

Amb. Njoroge said, “Impunity encourages perpetrators of crimes against journalists and at the same time has a chilling effect on society including media practitioners themselves and the audience they serve.” 

“Governments, Civil Society, the media, and all concerned in the upholding of the rule of law are being asked to join in the global efforts to end impunity.”

He was speaking at JMEC offices in Juba on Thursday. 

IDEI is marked on November 2nd annually in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/163. The Resolution urged member States to implement definite measures countering present culture of impunity in crimes targeting journalists across the globe.

The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.