Protecting the safety of journalists and ensuring that crimes committed against them don't go unpunished is ever-more important in today's changing times in order to build transparent societies and keep citizens around the world informed, the United Nations said today marking the first-ever International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

The United Nations has confirmed that an American freelance journalist, reportedly held captive for nearly two years by militants in Syria, was freed on Sunday in a handover to UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights, who then released him to United States officials.

The top United Nations envoy in Somalia condemned the killing on Saturday of radio journalist Yusuf Keynan in the capital, Mogadishu, and urged that the perpetrators of the crime be brought to justice.

“Sound, bold and independent” journalism is vital in any democratic society, the United Nations human rights chief declared today, stressing the need to ensure the safety of media workers, who have come under increasing attacks, harassment and intimidation over the past few years.