UN calls on Thai authorities to protect journalists after shooting death

The United Nations agency entrusted with defending the freedom of the press today called on the authorities of Thailand to ensure journalists’ safety after a cameraman was killed and a photographer injured in anti-Government demonstrations earlier this month.

“Their fate highlights yet again the danger brave journalists confront every day so that freedom of information, a basic human right, can be upheld,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova said in a statement.

Japanese journalist Hiroyuki Muramoto, a cameraman for Reuters, was killed and freelance photographer Winnai Ditthajorn, who was working for Australia’s ABC News, was wounded in Bangkok on 10 April while covering anti-Government demonstrations that left more than 20 people dead.

Mr. Muramoto, 43, who had worked with Reuters’ Tokyo bureau for the past 15 years, was shot in the chest by an unknown assailant and pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Footage on his camera reportedly showed scenes of extreme violence in the streets. Mr. Ditthajorn was admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to his left leg, but his life is not in danger.

“I call on the authorities of Thailand to investigate the killing of Mr. Muramoto and to make every effort to ensure that journalists can carry out their work in safety,” Ms. Bokova said.