(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: IFJ Condemns Attack At Iraq Television: Call for United Nations Probe The International Federation of Journalists today condemned last night’s bombing of Iraqi Television by allied forces, saying that it was not credible to claim this was a legitimate military target. “This is clearly an action […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release:
IFJ Condemns Attack At Iraq Television: Call for United Nations Probe
The International Federation of Journalists today condemned last night’s bombing of Iraqi Television by allied forces, saying that it was not credible to claim this was a legitimate military target. “This is clearly an action taken to frustrate the use of television by the regime to communicate with the people of Iraq,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “This
attack must be investigated by the United Nations. It appears to be an act of violent censorship that breaks the Geneva conventions.”
The IFJ says the attack by missiles and aircraft of the coalition forces reinforces the precedent set by NATO in its bombing of Radio Television Serbia during the Kosovo war three years ago. “Once again, we see military and political commanders from the democratic world targeting a television network simply because they don’t like the message it gives out,” said White.
The IFJ says claims by United States military command spokesmen that the television station was among “key regime command and control assets” are untenable. “There is no question that this attack reflects the anger and frustration of political leaders in the United States over the showing of prisoners on television and the use of television to boost the morale of Saddam Hussein supporters,” said White. “This is the only credible explanation for this attack.”
The morale of a population is not a legitimate military target, says the IFJ, which is warning that journalists and media on all sides could become targets for further attacks. “We have already had media casualties and this action will put journalists and media even more at risk.”
Iraqi Television was back on the air a few hours after the military strikes. Under international law, television and radio stations may be targeted if they are being used for military purposes. However, the IFJ says that there has to be evidence that this is the case before attacks are made. The IFJ also dismissed suggestions that Saddam Hussein may be using television broadcasts to send coded messages to his own army. “The idea that Iraqi soldiers are sitting in the desert watching television to get their orders is absurd,” says the IFJ. “But it shows the desperate lengths that some will go to justify what is a serious and dangerous escalation of action against civilian targets,” said White.
The IFJ represents more than 500, 000 journalists in more than 100 countries.
