UNESCO chief condemns murders of two more journalists

In his ongoing campaign to protect journalists as an essential pillar of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned the murder of two more reporters, voicing outrage at the increased targeting of media professionals.

Italian reporter Enzo Baldoni, accredited by the Milan weekly Diario, was kidnapped in Iraq on 20 August and reported executed last week in a video delivered to the Arab television channel Aljazeera. He was one 51 journalists and media workers killed in Iraq in the past 17 months, making the conflict one of the bloodiest for the profession, according to the International News Safety Institute.

Bangladeshi organized crime reporter Kamal Hossain of the daily Ajker Kagoj was the third journalist murdered in the south Asian country this year according to the non-governmental organization Reporters without Borders, which said there had been four cases of assault on reporters since 13 August and that 60 journalists had received threats over the past month.

"I condemn this flagrant disregard for civilian lives and for the most fundamental human values," UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said of Mr. Baldoni's murder. "The cold-blooded sacrifice of journalists who are committed to their professional duty to inform the public in difficult conditions, and of their co-workers, shows indescribable cynicism."

Paying tribute to the courage and dedication of Iraqi and international journalists and their collaborators, he added: "It is encouraging to see that the profession's commitment remains unflagging despite the heavy death toll. The free flow of information is essential for democracy and I call for every possible measure to be taken to enable journalists to continue carrying out their work in conditions of improved safety."

Of Mr. Hossain, Mr. Matsuura said: "The fact that criminals are resorting to brutal acts to muzzle the voice of the media highlights the profession's importance for transparency, democracy and the rule of law. I am alarmed at the heavy tribute being levied on media professionals in Bangladesh and I applaud their commitment to public information and freedom of expression."

Over the past several months Mr. Matsuura has issued numerous condemnations of the murder of journalists in various countries, calling them an attack on society as a whole.