UNESCO chief denounces killings of television journalists in Pakistan, Iraq

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today condemned the separate killings of four television journalists in Pakistan and Iraq, calling for those responsible to be brought to trial.

“Violence against the media cannot be allowed to continue with impunity,” said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova.

In the Pakistani city of Karachi, technician Waqas Aziz, security guard Ashraf Yusuf, and driver Khalid Khan – all three employed by 'Express News' – were fatally shot on 17 January while in their television van. An extremist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In Iraq, Firas Mohammed Attiyah, a 28-year-old freelance reporter for Fallujah TV, was killed on 20 February in a bomb attack in the town of Khaldiyah, near Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. The attack also injured Muayad Ibrahim, a freelance reporter for Al-Anbar TV.

“It is vital that the authorities take immediate action to improve the safety of journalists and media workers, as an essential part of protecting freedom of expression and media freedoms in the country,” Ms. Bokova said.

The names will be added to UNESCO's dedicated webpage for journalists killed in the line of duty.