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Media Organizations Launch Global Program to Protect Journalists on Front Lines of War, Terror and C
WASHINGTON, D.C. – To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, a global coalition of more than 100 media organizations today announced the formation of the International News Safety Institute (INSI) – a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers many journalists face on the job and to support risk-reduction programs throughout the industry.
"At least 13 journalists were killed during the Iraq war and others lost their lives recently in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the war against terror. These are increasingly dangerous times for reporters on the front lines of these stories, and it's more important than ever that news organizations do everything possible to give journalists proper training and protective equipment before sending them into war zones," said Linda Foley, president of The Newspaper Guild-CWA.
TNG-CWA, along with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Writers Guild of America, East, and the National Writers Union (UAW Local 1981), are the American affiliates of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) – one of the key founders of the INSI.
AFTRA President John Connolly stated: "Last year, the discovery of anthrax-tainted letters in American newsrooms made it clear that journalists are not only at risk while covering the news abroad – in some cases, journalists themselves are the targets of attacks. Issues of health and safety are of paramount concern to working journalists whether at home or abroad."
Jonathan Tasini, president emeritus of the National Writers Union said: "This initiative will be a welcome addition for freelance journalists who face added significant risks because they are often working without the institutional backing of a news organization."
Other founding members of INSI include major news organizations such as Reuters, CNN, ABC, BBC, CBC, SKY News, Wall Street Journal Europe, and The Statesman, as well as the Committee to Protect Journalists and many other press freedom and media support groups.
The INSI has launched a website – www.newssafety.com – which provides news, safety tips and resources for protecting journalists. The campaign seeks to expand its network of organizations committed to risk reduction, as well as provide an information clearinghouse, and sponsor forums and events to raise awareness of the issues.
The American unions announced that they will jointly sponsor a journalism safety forum in New York City to be scheduled this fall. The INSI program grew out of a forum sponsored by TNG-CWA and AFTRA held in conjunction with the IFJ's world meeting in Washington last year.
The May 3 World Press Freedom Day celebration will be marked by events held around the world, including a formal launch of the INSI program at the International Press Centre in Brussels, meetings organized by UNESCO in Jamaica and by press freedom activists in London.
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For more information, contact Linda Foley, TNG-CWA, 202-255-5990.
"At least 13 journalists were killed during the Iraq war and others lost their lives recently in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the war against terror. These are increasingly dangerous times for reporters on the front lines of these stories, and it's more important than ever that news organizations do everything possible to give journalists proper training and protective equipment before sending them into war zones," said Linda Foley, president of The Newspaper Guild-CWA.
TNG-CWA, along with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Writers Guild of America, East, and the National Writers Union (UAW Local 1981), are the American affiliates of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) – one of the key founders of the INSI.
AFTRA President John Connolly stated: "Last year, the discovery of anthrax-tainted letters in American newsrooms made it clear that journalists are not only at risk while covering the news abroad – in some cases, journalists themselves are the targets of attacks. Issues of health and safety are of paramount concern to working journalists whether at home or abroad."
Jonathan Tasini, president emeritus of the National Writers Union said: "This initiative will be a welcome addition for freelance journalists who face added significant risks because they are often working without the institutional backing of a news organization."
Other founding members of INSI include major news organizations such as Reuters, CNN, ABC, BBC, CBC, SKY News, Wall Street Journal Europe, and The Statesman, as well as the Committee to Protect Journalists and many other press freedom and media support groups.
The INSI has launched a website – www.newssafety.com – which provides news, safety tips and resources for protecting journalists. The campaign seeks to expand its network of organizations committed to risk reduction, as well as provide an information clearinghouse, and sponsor forums and events to raise awareness of the issues.
The American unions announced that they will jointly sponsor a journalism safety forum in New York City to be scheduled this fall. The INSI program grew out of a forum sponsored by TNG-CWA and AFTRA held in conjunction with the IFJ's world meeting in Washington last year.
The May 3 World Press Freedom Day celebration will be marked by events held around the world, including a formal launch of the INSI program at the International Press Centre in Brussels, meetings organized by UNESCO in Jamaica and by press freedom activists in London.
###
For more information, contact Linda Foley, TNG-CWA, 202-255-5990.