International press freedom groups and journalists' associations, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), have agreed to examine the need for an international emblem to protect journalists in combat zones and for coordinated strategies to improve protection for media staff.

At a meeting organised by the Press Emblem Campaign in Geneva, Switzerland, last week, the organisations agreed to commission experts to look at the possibility of creating an international emblem similar to the Red Cross insignia used by humanitarian aid workers. The International News Safety Institute will prepare a report on steps needed to improve journalists' safety.

The International Federation of Journalists, one of the participants, says journalists in war zones should be given as much legal protection as humanitarian aid workers. "Journalists and media staff are sometimes simply forgotten when it comes to the international community's concern for civilians caught in conflict," the IFEX member says.

Other organisations represented at the meeting included the European Broadcasting Union, the International Union of the French Press and the World Council of Broadcasting.

A follow-up meeting in early 2005 will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates Syndicate of Journalists.

For more information, visit:

- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=2702&Language=EN
- Geneva Declaration on Kidnapping and Killing of Journalists in Iraq: http://www.ifj.org/pdfs/genevakidnap&killiraq210904.pdf
- International News Safety Institute: http://www.newssafety.com/
- RSF Charter for Safety of Journalists: http://www.damocles.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=404
- Amnesty International: http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGPOL304192004