OSCE Media Representative: more needs to be done to safeguard journalists working in conflict zones

VIENNA, 27 November 2001 - Several journalists have been killed over the past weeks in Afghanistan. Fifty-six journalists have already been killed world-wide this year, up from 53 in 2000, according to the World Association of Newspapers. With hundreds, sometimes thousands, of reporters covering conflicts chances of some of them losing their lives are markedly higher.

The issue of protection of journalists in conflict areas is again of primary importance and is addressed at a conference organized in Potsdam on 27 November by the German media company ARD. This gathering is attended by Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

"One of the challenges is the fact that many of those who travel to war zones as reporters are free lancers lacking proper training and necessary insurance," stressed Mr. Duve. In his view, more can be done by the media giants in providing assistance to untrained free lancers.

The OSCE Representative believes that so-called security pools can be established by the leading media outlets that will provide the needed training and insurance. Media foundations can be approached to financially support these pools. The improved professional identification of the trained journalists is another matter that should be looked at. "It is clear that additional steps should be taken to ensure the safety and security of reporters working in conflict zones. A comprehensive approach by international organizations and by the media itself is needed to deal with this ongoing tragedy," underlined Mr. Duve.