Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsRoy Moore sues Alabama over COVID-19 restrictions GOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs MORE on Tuesday defended the media following the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Sessions, speaking at a press conference, said the the "world will be diminished" if journalists are not allowed to cover international issues.

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"The world will be diminished if journalists aren’t able to go and travel and to report honestly conditions in differing countries," Sessions said, according to CNN. "Or people in their own country can’t report on corruption or crime or misconduct in their countries."

"I think it can even separate countries from a civilized community," he added.

According to the network, Sessions was responding to a question about Khashoggi's disappearance, though he seemingly also referred to reporters, writ large, including those killed while covering Mexican drug cartels.

Mexico is the second-deadliest country in the world for journalists, according to the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders. At least 47 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Khashoggi has been missing since Oct. 2, when he entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey and was never seen re-emerging. Turkish authorities have claimed Saudi Arabia ordered the murder of the U.S.-based journalist, with one Turkish source telling the Associated Press on Tuesday that police found evidence he was murdered there.

President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE has so far insisted Saudi leaders, including the crown prince and king, deny involvement in the alleged killing. Saudi officials initially denied the claim but are now reportedly weighing whether to say Khashoggi was killed in a botched interrogation.

"The matter’s being given serious evaluation," Sessions said, referring to Khashoggi's disappearance. "I feel strongly about it. The President feels strongly about it. We at the Department of Justice will do what we can and I think maybe give new attention to this issue.”

Trump, who has fostered an antagonistic relationship with the media, said Khashoggi's disappearance was particularly urgent because he was a reporter.