WAN-IFRA calls for journalists' safety
A resolution was passed by the Board of the World Association of
Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) during the 67th World News
Media Congress, 22nd World Editors Forum and 25th World Advertising
Forum in Washington DC, held from the May 31- June 3.
The Board of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
(WAN-IFRA) called on governments, international institutions and the
media industry itself to prioritize journalists' safety and denounced
the state of impunity that surrounds the murder of journalists in many
parts of the world.
In a press freedom resolution, the Board of WAN-IFRA noted with
dismay, that at least 1127 journalists have been killed in the line of
duty since 1992.
The Board acknowledged that over 50-percent of these deaths involved
journalists working in print media, and that in the vast majority of
instances, those killed were local journalists.
The Board of WAN-IFRA denounces the impunity that surrounds the
murder of journalists and urges stronger multilateral efforts to punish
those who target journalists as a means of deterrent against future
crimes. In more than 90 per cent of cases, no one is brought to justice.
The Board calls on governments worldwide to actively support the United
Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of
Impunity.
The Board of WAN-IFRA also called for greater solidarity within the
news industry to propose solutions that improve safety and protection
for all journalists, and to work together to support media professionals
working in unstable and unsafe environments as a means of strengthening
press freedom worldwide.
WAN-IFRA
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