“As the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, I reiterate my call for a free press that can play its essential role in peace, justice, sustainable development, and human rights,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a message for International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

In his message, Guterres noted that the pandemic has highlighted new perils for journalists and media workers, even as the number of attacks on their physical safety has grown.