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IFJ Condemns NATO Bombing of Media
A Broken Promise That Threatens the Lives of all Journalists and Media Staff |
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The International Federation of Journalists today condemned the NATO bombing of
Serbian state television and warned that the action could lead to reprisals against
independent journalists and media staff who have been campaigning against media
distortion and control of information by the Milosevic regime. "Hundreds of reporters, writers and broadcasting staff opposed to government manipulation of media are put at risk by this bombing. Killing journalists and media staff never wins wars or builds democracy, it only reinforces ignorance, censorship and fear," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. The IFJ condemned NATO's action in particular as a "broken promise" following a written commitment from NATO spokesman Jamie Shea ten days ago to avoid civilian casualties, including journalists. NATO told the IFJ there was no policy to strike television and radio transmitters as such. The IFJ further wrote to Javier Solana two days ago calling on NATO to stick to its promise not to target media after attacks on media close to the Milosevic family. This appeal was supported by more than 20 freedom of expression groups world-wide. "NATO's action severely compromises the fight for freedom of the press and free expression not just in Europe, but world-wide. Governments who attack media - whether in the Balkans, in central Africa or central Asia - will now feel justified in making journalists and all who work with them legitimate targets," said Aidan White. The IFJ has been among the strongest critics of Slobodan Milosevic and his government over the years and has worked with many other organisations to support independent media organisations and independent journalists' groups. "What we need now is solidarity with those fighting for democracy in media, not reckless military action which will be turned against those fighting for press freedom." The IFJ also warned that the latest action put at risk a number of individuals from media who are in detention. "We have been trying to trace journalists who have gone missing or been detained by the Serb and Yugoslav authorities. Their plight is made ever more perilous by this latest strike." The IFJ has prepared a Media Solidarity Programme for the region to support journalists and media staff in the region, including displaced Kosovar journalists. The IFJ says that the need for the programme is more urgent than ever. The IFJ is the world's largest organisation of journalists with more than 450,000 members in 100 countries. Further information: +32 2 223 2265 Journalist to Journalist -- The IFJ Safety Fund: Send a donation today to: A/C 611-0122022-66, Deutsche Bank, Ave Marnix 17, 1000 Brussels, Belgium We are trying to present all texts in all languages. However, due to a limited resources we are not always able to achieve this goal. If you would like to translate material for us, please contact us. |
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