EU calls for ending of violence on journalists

Brussels, Nov 3: Federica Mogherini, EU's high representative has called for the ending of intimidation and violence on journalists across the world.

November 2 marks the international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists. The EU's High Representative Federica Mogherini said on Monday in a statement that many journalists risk their lives and liberty on a daily basis to ensure that their audiences get a true picture of events in some of the world's hotspots, Xinhua reported.

"The media are the mirror of our societies: if they are free and critical, we are free and safe," she said.

Regrettably, reporters in many countries across the world face an increasing level of intimidation and violence.

"The numerous attacks on journalists are not only attacks on the reporters themselves, but on freedom of expression, freedom of the media and the values we hold most dear," she said.

Mogherini said the EU expects state authorities to fully abide by their international obligations to effectively, quickly and independently investigate such crimes and to ensure all those responsible for such violence -- be they state or non-state actors -- are brought to justice.

IANS