IFJ demands NATO apologize for bombing of RTS Television in Belgrade ten years ago which killed 16 journalists: NATO set precedent which has made reporting more dangerous than ever

April 23, 2009

Ten Years On, IFJ Says NATO “Must Apologise” over Belgrade Media Killings

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today said that, ten years after NATO forces defied the protests of journalists and human rights groups and bombed a television centre in Belgrade killing 16 media staff, the damage from that unprecedented strike is still being felt.

“When NATO forces decided to strike at the television of station RTS in Belgrade because they found its propaganda offensive they set a terrible precedent,” said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. “That attack opened the door to a decade of attacks on media in conflict zones and has made journalism more dangerous than ever.”

Boumelha says that NATO should admit its mistake on April 23rd 1999 when it targeted the Serbian state broadcaster in its struggle with the regime of Slobodan Milosevic. “The lives lost are gone forever, but an apology from NATO to the families and colleagues of those who died is long overdue,” he said.

Only days before the attack, the IFJ had received an assurance from NATO officials that it would not attack media during the conflict over the future of Kosovo. Such an attack is in contravention of international law, warned the IFJ and other press freedom advocates, even if the media concerned are guilty of propaganda. Attacks are only permitted on media when they are actively engaged in the strategic process of war. 

But the NATO strike went ahead. Those who died were forced to stay at their posts despite warnings of the attack, raising claims that they had been deliberately placed in danger by the RTS bosses. Following the attack , other assaults on media installations – particularly by the Israeli military which attacked media in Lebanon in 2006 and in the Gaza Strip earlier this year – have been justified by NATO’s action.

The IFJ pledged at this anniversary to support journalists in Serbia in their efforts to seek justice for their colleagues who died during the attack and to overcome the legacy of divisive politics which for so long has undermined the profession.

For further information contact IFJ on +32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide

IFJ and FAJ release report on Israeli targeting of media during recent Gaza war

Missoula, Feb. 23 (Al-Masakin)–International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ) released a 32 page report Friday detailing the results of their joint fact finding Solidarity Mission to Gaza Jan. 22-23. 

The report has confirms Israel targeted media personnel during the recent Gaza war.  The report Justice in the News: A response to Targeting of Media in Gaza found the media was subjected to intimidation, direct military assault, and unlawfully blockaded from Nov.5, 2008 until Israeli ceased hostilities Jan. 18.  The Israeli media has been prohibited from entering Gaza since Oct. 2006.

 

The IFJ’s Secretary General Aidan White demanded an end to “double-talk” on the issue of the Israeli targeting of media and demanded a United Nations investigation into what he called “premeditated and precise” assaults on journalists working there during the conflict.

 

“Here was reckless intimidation of media on a shocking scale that should not go unpunished. If it does, it leaves journalists and media exposed to the threat of attack in any conflict at any time in the future,” Mr. White said at a press conference in Brussels on Friday.

 

The report also condemns the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) for threats and intimidation in their attempts to control the media.

 

The report cites in evidence the Dec. 28 bombing of the Al-Aqsa Television, the Jan. 9 assault on Al-Johara media tower, and the Jan. 15 attack on the Al-Shuroug media tower. 

 

The report demands Israel be held accountable by the interantional community for numerous violation of the Geneva Conventions and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1738 which in 2006 condemed attacks on journalists, media professionals and associated personnel, in armed conflicts, emphasized that intentional attacks on civilians constituted War Crimes, and recalled the Geneva Conventions which obligated states to search for the persons responsible for such attacks and place them on trial in a court of law. 

 

EHC / EHC

 

 

 

 

 

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the International Press Association (API) condemns European Commission’s statement that journalists might be spies

February 12, 2009

EFJ and API Blast “Spies” Smear As European Commission Targets Journalists

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the International Press Association (API) representing foreign press correspondents in Brussels, today condemned a recent statement by the European Commission’s security services which hints that journalists and lobbyists can provide cover for potential spies to search for sensitive and classified information.

 

“This sort of loose talk ends up smearing everyone working in journalism by casting a cloud of suspicion over them,” said EFJ General Secretary Aidan White. “Security concerns are one thing, but this sort of comment puts journalists at risk and makes their job of scrutinising public officials and the work of the Commission more difficult.  European Union officials should do their jobs without raising scares about the honesty and integrity of correspondents working in Brussels”.

 

The European Commission fears that its confidential documents are increasingly at risk from spies.  ”We are not only pointing the finger at journalists. It could be the pretty trainee with the long legs and the blonde hair” Commission spokeswoman Valerie Rampi said yesterday  after a report in the German newspaper the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung  quoted from a confidential letter from the director of the commission’s security services to its Director of human resources. ‘Recent cases show that the threat of espionage is increasing day by day. A number of countries, information seekers, lobbyists, journalists, private agencies and other third parties are continuing to seek sensitive and classified information’, said the  Commission memo, which dates back to December.

 

“We need to remind the Commission that investigative journalism is in the public interest. Journalists have to look also for ‘sensitive and classified’ documents in order to inform the public and to place information in a truthful context.  It is a legitimate and essential part of a democracy to allow reporters to ask searching questions and get access to documents some politicians and officials would prefer for their own vested interests to keep out of sight,” said Lorenzo Consoli, the President of API.

 

“The Commission has a poor record of its treatment of investigative journalists. For instance, we are still waiting for an official response  from them to take responsibility and apologise over their bogus complaint against German Stern reporter Hans-Martin Tillack  who was cleared last month of wrong-doing in his work to expose corruption in the European Union”, said White.

 

The EFJ has called on the Commission to investigate how its officials came to make the false accusation of bribery against Tillack and to carry out an independent inquiry into the case that for years cast a shadow over relations between Brussels journalists and the Commission.  “Now the suggestion is that every journalist is a potential spy — it’s the worst kind of scaremongering,” said White.   

 

The EFJ represents over 260,000 journalists in 30 countries.

API represents 500 journalist accredited to the EU Institutions

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235.2202 or API at +32 473 746651

IFJ condemns assassination of HornAfrik director Said Tahliil Ahmed in Mogadishu (Photo)

February 05, 2009

IFJ Condemns Lawlessness in Somalia after Killing of Another Journalist

 

Said Tahliil Ahmed is the second journalist killed in Somalia in 2009

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the murder of Said Tahliil Ahmed, Director of HornAfrik- a radio and television station in the Somali Capital Mogadishu- who was gunned down on 4 February 2009.

“We condemn this murder which is the result of the lawlessness in Somalia,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office. “This crime, the second in as many months to claim the life of a journalist in 2009, demonstrates that criminal organisations are on a killing spree in Somalia and that journalists are clearly in their sights.”

According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Said was killed near the Bakare market in central Mogadishu by three unidentified gunmen who shot him four times in the head as he was with fellow directors of radio stations.

Other media organisation in Somalia said that militia groups opposed to the peace talks which took place in neighbouring Djibouti, could be linked to Said’s murder because of his station’s extensive coverage of the Somali presidential elections on 30 January 2009.

Some of these groups had reportedly warned media organisations in Somalia against reporting on the peace process.

Said is the second journalist to be killed in Somalia since the start of the year. On 1 January, Hassan Mayow Hassan of Radio Shabelle in Afgooye, south west of Mogadishu was shot dead by a pro-government militia.

“The new Somali authorities must reign in these criminal gangs who are terrorising media”, added Baglo. “There are important stories to report on in Somalia and journalists cannot do their job properly while under threat of death.”

For more information contact the IFJ at + +221 33 867 95 87

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reports today on the murder of journalists in 2008, warns 2009 might be deadliest year yet

February 04, 2009

The IFJ Says Impunity and “Callous Indifference” Remain Threats as New Wave of Media Killings Wipes out Optimism Over Death Toll in 2008

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today issued its report on the killings of journalists in 2008 with a warning that 2009 could be the deadliest year yet for journalists. A wave of killings in the first days of the new year have undermined hopes that the falling death toll recorded in 2008 was the first sign of a change in the pattern of killings which have risen dramatically in recent years.

“The welcome relief brought about by the decline in the killings of journalists in 2008 has been shot lived;” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary at a press conference to launch the report entitled ‘ Perilous Assignments: Journalists and media personnel killed in 2008′. “Ten colleagues died in January alone and from all regions of the world either in targeted killing or as a direct result of their work.”

The IFJ recorded 109 deaths of journalists and media staff in 2008, marking a decrease from the 2007 all time record of 175 deaths.

The IFJ says that the international community still needs to step up to confront the challenge of impunity in the killing of journalists. “We often see politicians, even in democratic countries showing callous indifference to the threats posed by attacks on journalists and media. That must end,” said White.

According to the report, Iraq remains the most dangerous countries despite a substantial drop of media casualties from 65 in 2007 to 16 last year. The other dangerous zones were Mexico and India with 10 deaths each.

The IFJ says the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists and the systematic failure to respect the rights of journalists deny journalists the protection they are entitled to in their work, especially during armed conflict.

“The recent conflict in Gaza provides a powerful example of the dangers facing journalists” added White. “Media personnel and installations were targeted by Israeli military, causing casualties, including two fatalities and extensive damage to property.”

The IFJ was the first press freedom advocacy group to call for an investigation into the Israeli targeting of the media during the conflict in Gaza and is gathering information for a report on these attacks which will contribute to the investigation.

“Israel must be held accountable for the violations of international law and the international community, including the European Union, must enforce effectively provisions for the protection of journalists and media staff, especially Resolution 1738,” White said.

The IFJ report also indicates that the organisation’s Safety Fund contributed in 2008 over 100.000 Euro in humanitarian assistance grants to more than two dozens families of killed journalists and journalists in need. The Fund is also contributing to humanitarian efforts to help journalists as part of the IFJ Solidarity campaign launched in the wake of the Israeli attack on Gaza.

“The Safety Fund, created and funded by journalists to help colleagues in need is a shining example of solidarity in action,” added White. “Through this Fund, journalists or their families, who otherwise would have been left to fend for themselves after tragedies such as accidents or the death of a bread winner, have been given a lifeline to help find their feet again.”

IFJ report on journalists and media staff killed in 2008 is available here

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207 

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide

UNESCO hosts international seminar on women journalists in Moscow

UNESCO hosts Moscow seminar on women journalists in post-conflict countries

UNESCO is co-organizing an International seminar, “Women Journalists – Experiences of Building Peace Communication in Post Conflict Countries”, to be held at the Central House of Journalists, in Moscow, Russian Federation, on 2-3 February.

 

The seminar aims to collect and analyze international experiences of women journalists working in post conflict zones and to design an international strategy of peace communication, based on cooperation between media professionals and human rights NGOs. It will also seek to create a network of women journalists covering conflict and post conflict regions.
The keynote speaker at the event will be Gloria Steinem (USA), journalist, and leader of the U.S. women’s rights movement, who will discuss the role of women journalists around the world in covering conflict. Other speakers will include: artist and photo designer Umida Akhmedova from Uzbekistan, Russian journalist Victoria Ivleva from a weekly Novaya Gazeta and Khaskhuu Naranjargal from Mongolia-based NGO Globe International who will present a female perspective on the visual representations of tragedy.
Some other topics on the agenda of the seminar include: experiences of female journalists and representatives of civil and peacekeeping organizations; female journalists against the language of animosity; experience of creating world communications in post-conflict zones; perspectives of forming an international coalition of female journalists to cover building peace after conflict; and experience of international organizations in creating stable informational strategies to protect peace and responsible journalism. The participants will also discuss the work of the coalition and identify priorities for the future.
The seminar, bringing together 24 participants from 16 different countries,* is organized by the Glasnost Defense Foundation with support from the UNESCO Moscow Office and the International Federation of Journalists.
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* Belgium, Croatia, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Russia, Sweden, Senegal, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan

• Author(s):UNESCOPRESS
• Source:Media Advisory 2009-03
• 03-02-2009