By Harrish Thirukumaran
It is at this time, with heavy hearts, that the Monsoon Journal acknowledges the passing of one of its founders, Kanapathipillai Thirukumaran. He embodied a deep, spirited passion for journalism. A mindset that was about putting the people first by keeping them informed through good, quality information. His contributions gave this newspaper a vibrant life. These impacts have been felt across a wide readership community for the past 17 years, both online and offline.
Moving forward, the paper will be converting into a digital only format to combat rising costs, protect the environment, and improve access to good, quality information to its audiences. This last reason is something especially near and dear for Mr. Thirukumaran. Journalism was something not to be taken for granted in his view. This perspective also shines a light on why public days of observance, such as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, are important for society.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed November 2nd as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ in General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/163. It called on member countries to put into effect systems to address the culture of impunity. It memorializes the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on November 2, 2013.
According to the UN, this landmark resolution condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers. It also urges Member States to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability, bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies. It further calls upon States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference to reflect on the role of these people, based on their public discourse and specific obligations.
This edition of this day also wants to emphasize the situation of violence against journalists and media workers during election periods. In this sense, it seeks to reaffirm the commitments of the States and the responsibilities of the other actors involved to prevent and counteract the intolerance, discrimination and deliberate disinformation that permeates much of the debate in these contexts. The objective is to give visibility to the role of a safe and free press in ensuring the integrity of elections and our democratic systems.
Finally, these sessions will delve into the obligation of States to adopt effective measures to protect the independent press and strengthen institutional frameworks that combat violence and impunity, and promote media independence, sustainability and diversity. More information about the 2023 commemoration of this day of observance can be found through this concept note by the UN.
Journalism and information help to foster well-informed communities. In turn, this supports efforts to strengthen society for all when the journalists themselves are empowered. An example of this is how they support healthy elections. It helps communities progress in positive directions as Mr. Thirukumaran perceived it to be.
