LOC19:46
16:46 GMT
BRUSSELS, Aug 16 (KUNA) -- The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) Friday mourned the death of four journalists during clashes between
security forces and pro ousted President Mohamed Morsi supporters on Wednesday
in Cairo.
"We are shocked and saddened to learn the loss of our colleagues who died
because they believed in the purpose and mission of journalism," said IFJ
President Jim Boumelha in a statement.
"We should continue to honour them by keeping faith with their best
aspirations. In their names we can and should do more to find ways of making
journalism safer. We express our deepest condolences to their families and
colleagues," he said.
Ahmad Abduljawad, reporter for Al Akhbar newspaper and for Canal Misr 25,
was killed while covering the crackdown at Rabaah Al-Adawiya mosque area.
Sky News cameraman Mick Deane was shot while covering the violence and died
soon after he was treated for his injuries.
Photographer Mosab Al-Shami for Rassd news website (RNN) was also shot dead
near the mosque.
Habiba Ahmad Abdulaziz, who worked for the UAE-based Xpress newspaper, died
from gunshot wounds but her newspaper confirmed she was not on any official
assignment but had gone home on annual leave.
The IFJ called on Egyptian Prosecutor-General Hisham Barakat to investigate
the killing of journalists and hold those responsible to account.
"We are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing incidents of
violence in Egypt," said IFJ General Secretary Beth Costa. "We urge the
authorities to respect the right of journalists to work freely and safely
while covering the protests.
"We also urge media organisations to uphold their duty of care for their
staff and to ensure the safety of journalists covering dangerous events like
this, " added Costa in a statement. (end)
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KUNA 161946 Aug 13NNNN