The International Federation of Journalist (IFJ) condemned the murder of journalists in the Philippines, Somalia and Afghanistan which bring the number journalists and media staff killed in 2007 to 18, a rate of killings that matches the record levels reached last year.
2007 is already turning into a devastating year of bloodshed for journalism, said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "
We have seen journalists come under fire in every region of the world. We must make sure that the killers do not get away with their crimes, but the stage is already set for another record year of journalist and media staff assassinations," he said.
Gunmen shot and killed Hernani Pastolero, 64, editor of the weekly paper Lightning Courier, as he was sipping coffee in front of his house in the town of Sultan Kudarat on the island of Mindanao, according to press reports.
On Saturday Rahman Qul, editor of government-run magazine Andkhoy was shot and killed by two armed motorcyclists in Afghanistan. Police accused the Taliban in the attack and said they had arrested a suspect in connection with the killing, a press report said.
These killings show the intense pressure that journalists face around the world, White said.
In armed conflict, journalists are too often regarded as troublesome and interfering by combatants who care little about the job that they do and who are cruelly insensitive to media victims. The recent passage of a United Nations resolution should make it clear that this cycle of impunity and callous indifference must end.
The IFJ says that the murder of Hernani in the Philippines starts off another year of tragedy for one of the worlds most dangerous countries beyond the borders of Iraq. Last year at least 13 journalists were killed in the Philippines and 49 in all have been killed since President Gloria Arroyo came to power in 2001.
Also this weekend The International Federation of Journalists backed Somali journalists calling for a full investigation into the killing of a radio presenter and union activist who was set upon and shot dead. According to the National Union of Somali Journalists Ali Mohammed Omar was killed in the early evening of Friday in Baidoa of Bay region in south-western Somalia.
The IFJ has confirmed that at least 15 other journalists have been killed this year.
Including the latest deaths 2 journalists have been killed in Africa, 2 in the Americas, 3 in the Asia Pacific region, 1 in Europe and 10 in the Middle East.
Showing posts with label International Federation of Journalists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Federation of Journalists. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Saturday, December 23, 2006
An Open Letter To President Gloria Arroyo
Open letter to the Philippines' President: Act now to dismantle culture of impunity
Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Email: opnet@ops.gov.ph
Dear President Arroyo,
On December 20, Laoag City radio broadcaster Andres "Andy" Acosta was stabbed to death in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Acosta's brutal murder now brings the total up to 48 journalists killed since you came to power in 2001.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), as the organisation representing more than 500,000 journalists in over 115 countries, implores you to take immediate action and put an end to the senseless bloodshed, and ensure those responsible for these deaths are brought to justice.
According to IFJ affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), a police official interviewed on radio station dzBB said the Acosta's murder was most likely related to Acosta's "line of work".
Acosta reportedly worked for Laoag radio station dzJC Aksyon Radyo (Action Radio), an affiliate of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC). It is the same station where Roger Mariano, a broadcaster killed on July 31, 2004, worked.
The 12th journalist killed this year, Acosta's murder adds to an already appalling record and sends a strong message to the world that your administration does not place any value in the lives of journalists or in an independent media and informed public.
What is even more terrifying about these figures is that the perpetrators of these brutal crimes remain unpunished, and despite the establishment of the Melo Commission, journalist killers still walk free, while journalists continue to be fatally silenced.
The NUJP's tireless efforts, including their latest information campaign for journalists safety - "20 steps to safety", in campaigning for a free and safe media, while admirable, also highlights the terrible reality for journalists in the Philippines.
The IFJ echoes the NUJP's calls for your government to act now to end the culture of impunity and show the world your nation protects its citizens, punishes criminals, and values press freedom and democracy.This has gone on far too long, and too many lives have been wasted, for your government to remain idle.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Warren
President
International Federation of Journalists
Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Email: opnet@ops.gov.ph
Dear President Arroyo,
On December 20, Laoag City radio broadcaster Andres "Andy" Acosta was stabbed to death in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Acosta's brutal murder now brings the total up to 48 journalists killed since you came to power in 2001.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), as the organisation representing more than 500,000 journalists in over 115 countries, implores you to take immediate action and put an end to the senseless bloodshed, and ensure those responsible for these deaths are brought to justice.
According to IFJ affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), a police official interviewed on radio station dzBB said the Acosta's murder was most likely related to Acosta's "line of work".
Acosta reportedly worked for Laoag radio station dzJC Aksyon Radyo (Action Radio), an affiliate of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC). It is the same station where Roger Mariano, a broadcaster killed on July 31, 2004, worked.
The 12th journalist killed this year, Acosta's murder adds to an already appalling record and sends a strong message to the world that your administration does not place any value in the lives of journalists or in an independent media and informed public.
What is even more terrifying about these figures is that the perpetrators of these brutal crimes remain unpunished, and despite the establishment of the Melo Commission, journalist killers still walk free, while journalists continue to be fatally silenced.
The NUJP's tireless efforts, including their latest information campaign for journalists safety - "20 steps to safety", in campaigning for a free and safe media, while admirable, also highlights the terrible reality for journalists in the Philippines.
The IFJ echoes the NUJP's calls for your government to act now to end the culture of impunity and show the world your nation protects its citizens, punishes criminals, and values press freedom and democracy.This has gone on far too long, and too many lives have been wasted, for your government to remain idle.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Warren
President
International Federation of Journalists
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