(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Safety dominates journalists’ working lives in Asia following the death of a reporter in Pakistan The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has declared safety as the priority for journalists working in Asia following the shooting of journalist Naseer Afridi in Pakistan. “Afridi’s murder brings to light […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release:
Safety dominates journalists’ working lives in Asia following the death of a reporter in Pakistan
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has declared safety as the priority for journalists working in Asia following the shooting of journalist Naseer Afridi in Pakistan.
“Afridi’s murder brings to light the extent of the safety crisis for journalists across the region with close to half of the murders this year occurring in Asia,” said IFJ president Christopher Warren.
On Sunday December 4, 2005, Afridi, the president of Darra Adam Press Club and journalist for a daily Urdu language newspaper, was shot and killed while driving in his car in Northern Pakistan.
Afridi was killed by a stray bullet from a battle going on between the Bazi Khel and the Mala Khel tribes, according to IFJ’s affiliate in Pakistan, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). A truck driver was also killed in the attack.
The IFJ has expressed deep sorrow for the murder of Afridi and called on the authorities to launch a full investigation into the attack.
“The death of a colleague is always a great loss to the world’s journalism community, we send our condolences to Afridi’s family and colleagues,” said Warren.
The death of Afridi brings the global death toll of journalists and media workers during 2005 to 105, and the total for Asia to 43, with 25 of these occurring in South Asia.
“Safety continues to be the biggest issue facing journalists in South Asia, with an increase in the number of journalists being killed, attacks and kidnappings occurring across the region.”
For more information on the deteriorating situation for press freedom in South Asia see the IFJ South Asia press freedom report at http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3118&Language=EN.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.