The international political shockwaves due to the disappearance of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, are unprecedented and there’s no sign of them lessening. Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian government insider-turned-critic-of-the-state, and his disappearance is said to have happened inside a Saudi consulate. It is feared that the journalist-critic may have been tortured and executed for telling the unwelcome truth about the ruling establishment.
Most of the information obtained around Khashoggi’s disappearance has come from leaks, whistles-blowers and sources- close to the scene who have risked their own safety to notify the wider world. There were even audio recordings taken inside the consulate – recordings which clearly show that Khashoggi was killed. His body has yet to be found, and will likely never be found.
At the centre of this controversy, is Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman who is reported to have ordered the killing. The prince is a king-in-waiting, and the future of the wealthy and powerful family in his hands. This makes Khashoggi’s assassination more shocking, as it shows the lengths the Saudi Royal family will go to protect their interests and silence critics.
Khashoggi’s death has revealed the power of propaganda and the willingness of world leaders to look away and placate antagonists. President Donald Trump of the United States has talked against Khashoggi’s death, but stated that political and economic ties with Saudi Arabia should remain, using the excuse that it is in the US’s best interests.
The murder of Khashoggi has exposed the will of large powers to prioritize their own interests over morality and breaching the humans rights or the autonomy of other states. This has become alarmingly apparent as Saudi Arabia has managed to escape criticism with little repercussion. There has been a tepid response from the international community when dealing with Saudi Arabia, despite the country’s demonstrated stature in the Middle East.
Suppression of other journalists
The incident has shone a light on other countries and states which have repressed journalists for uncovering their scummy secrets. Further afield, activists fighting for economic and social justice for the people have been targeted and assassinated by regimes. This has been the case for several activists in Honduras. Activist Berta Caceres’ brutal murder in 2016 was suspected to be politically motivated.
The suppression or killing of journalists and activists is a reminder of the fight against collusion between governments, multinational companies, and powerful individuals that encroach upon the safety, and sometimes lives, of poeple whose only offense was to question the status quo.
In several countries, repressive governments and powerful politicians are seeking to shut down commentary which is critical of their policies and initiatives. Repressive governments rely on internet censorship, criminalization, and even violence to stifle criticism of their leadership – in places like Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Egypt.
The lack of security reported in countries like India and Mexico-with hundreds of journalists killed or imprisoned in recent years, illustrates the threat to freedom of expression and press freedom. The death of Khashoggi is an indicator that journalists from all countries face internatonal and individual threats, and the assumption of complacency in this case could result in other similar cases.
Freedom of The Press
In what appears to be a sustained international response to such events, the killing of Khashoggi strengthened the global call for the press freedom, not only in Saudi Arabia, but also in many other countries.
Many countries have reviewed their laws and improved their policies and regulation to protect journalists and media workers from oppressive regimes. Legislative reforms have been passed which guarantee freedom of the press and ensure journalistic safety.
The European Union’s freedom of the press clause, firmly states that any form of detrimental interference with the freedom of the press must be unequivocally condemned. Additionally, UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights have given a stronger legal basis to protect press freedom.
The media’s role in a democratic society provides an opportunity to improve accountability, fight corruption, and demand more transparency and responsibility from authorities. Therefore, protecting freedom of the press and journalists safety should be a global priority.
Global response to Khashoggi
The disappearance of Khashoggi has attracted an unprecedented global outcry which further shows the perceived importance of press freedom and the efficacy of a free press. Governments, entities, and individuals around the world have expressed their fear for freedom of expression journalists, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
This is the irony of political repression and injustice- what is intended to be hidden, is instead exposed. The death Khashoggi is indicative of a truth many people have known but refused to act upon, and it has caused an outrage with demands that those responsible for this should be sentenced.
The death of Khashoggi has been a rallying cry for press freedom in countries across the world, and has increased the demand for implementation of legislation to ensure that journalists and freedom of expression activists are protected. However, there is still a worry that those who brought such repression in the first place, will be the ones who will be allowed to create such regulations.
Victim blaming
While calls for justice on Khashoggi’s death remain globally insistent, there is an unhelpful sentiment which has also emerged. This is the idea that Jamal Khashoggi was responsible for his own death, because of his choice to go back to the Saudi consulate. This completely overlooks the notion that journalists should not have to fear for their lives for speaking out, and it targets the victim instead of the perpetrator.
In a supposed era of increasing freedom and openness, global attention and media coverage has shielded and jeopardized different individuals seeking for truth. People across the globe are now putting their lives on the line, in a quest to expose the unscrupulous practices of some governments and powerful entities. It is therefore unfair, and unjust to blame the victim instead of those actually responsible.
The death of Jamal Khashoggi, and the international attention that his death has attracted, has brought to the fore issues such as press freedom, freedom of expression, and journalistic safety as prominent considerations when dealing with international politics. It is the responsibility of governments, powerful billionaires, and individuals to ensure that truth-seekers and freedom of expression activists are protected, instead of made a target.
Impediments to justice
Despite the international outcry, those responsible for the murder of Khashoggi and other related injustices, have yet to face hails. This is not just a reflection on how governments and institutions place value on the lives of dissenters, but also a distraction from the realities of the people. While a few selected individuals remain under public scrutiny, a majority of those in control of oppressive regimes remain oblivious to the inquisitions of justice.
The lack of justice is especially worrisome as there are numerous other activists who have not been granted the same level of public attention. Even though they risk their lives and sometimes die to bring truth to light, they rarely receive recognition from the highest echelons for their work. The same people blocking justice are also the ones hindering access to the truth.
Additionally, countries responsible for promoting misinformation and fabricating news to protect their ruling class’s interests are also responsible for inhibiting real truth-seeking journalism. The death of Jamal Khashoggi and other journalists highlight the struggle of journalists and activists to access the truth and they situation at the hands of oppressive states.
Conclusion
Jamal Khashoggi was allegedly assassinated for being a political critic of the Saudi Arabian ruling class. His case has since sparked an international outcry for respect of human rights, freedom of speech and expression, and press freedom in countries all around the world.
The disappearance of Khashoggi is a grave reminder for governments and powerful entities of their reponsibility to uphold the rights of their citizens and respect the autonomy of other countries. It is also a reminder for world leaders and institutions of their responsibility to protect truth-seekers and freedom of expression activists. Thus, it is imperative for governments and entities to make this a priority for the wellbeing of its citizens.
