All sides in conflicts must protect journalists – Annan

The International Federation of Journalists has sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, asking for an investigation of all the deaths of journalists in Iraq, which, according to figures cited by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), now total more than 80 since the war began in 2003.

“We are studying it,” spokesperson Marie Okabe said, confirming receipt of the letter in reply to a question at the regular noon briefing.

“On the subject of the protection and the right to work of journalists, I just want to point out that the Secretary-General has repeatedly urged all actors in conflict situations around the world, governments, local authorities and armed forces to protect the right of all citizens to reliable information and the right of journalists to provide it without fearing for their security and their freedom or their life,” she added.

In the latest incident in Iraq, Reuters reported that a television soundman working for the agency was shot dead on Sunday and that an Iraqi Interior Ministry official quoted the police incident report as saying United States forces had opened fire.