"SANTIAGO - Journalists who report on environmental issues face increasing violence around the world from both state and private actors, UNESCO said on Thursday, highlighting that 44 of these journalists have been murdered between 2009 and 2023.

More than 70% of the 905 journalists the agency surveyed in 129 countries said they had been attacked, threatened or pressured, and that the violence against them had worsened - with 305 attacks reported in the last five years alone.

UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency, listed in its report physical attacks such as injuries, arrests and harassment, as well as legal actions, including defamation lawsuits and criminal proceedings, among others.

At least 749 journalists, groups of journalists and media outlets have been attacked in 89 countries across all regions, its report said, with state actors being responsible for at least half and private for at least a quarter."

Natalia A. Ramos Miranda reports for Reuters May 2, 2024. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"This Story Must Be Told – UNESCO Campaign For #WorldPressFreedomDay" (UNESCO) [3]

"Violent Attacks Against Environmental Journalists On The Rise, Report Finds" (Guardian) [4]