The European Commission published a joint statement on behalf of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, High Representative Kaja Kallas, and Commissioner Michael McGrath ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The statement emphasizes that violence against members of the press undermines the fundamental foundations of open, free, and democratic societies. The authors of the document note that worldwide, journalists continue to become victims of murders, torture, persecution, detention, and forced exile solely for carrying out their professional duties and attempting to hold authorities accountable. The European Commission expressed concern about the scale of the impunity problem for such crimes and reaffirmed the EU's commitment to protecting freedom of the press and the safety of journalists worldwide. The statement is timed to coincide with a commemorative date established by the UN General Assembly to draw international attention to the problem of attacks on journalists and the need to hold the perpetrators accountable. EU representatives called on member states and international partners to strengthen measures to protect media workers and ensure investigations into crimes against them.