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Int''l media body mourns four journalists killed in Egypt crisis

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) nk.bs KUNA 161946 Aug 13NNNN