The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today said that the killing of a journalist in
clashes between Israeli and the Lebanese troops has highlighted the continuing
dangers facing journalists trying to cover the world's longest-running
conflict.
Assaf
Abu Rahhal, 55 years old and working for Lebanon's
Al-Akhbar newspaper, was reportedly killed today in the fighting which
erupted along the Israel-Lebanon border. He was killed when an isreali shell landed next to him.
Another journalist, Ali Sheaib a reporter for the Lebanese TV outlet Al-Manar was wounded in
the exchange of fire which left three Lebanese soldiers dead.
"After years of relative calm, this outbreak of violence illustrates just how
dangerous covering any corner of Arab-Israeli conflict can be," said Aidan
White, IFJ General Secretary. "Journalists and media can never be safe as long
as governments fail to respect their rights to report freely."
The media casualty is the first since freelance
photographer Layal Najib was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006.
"This
killing is another tragic moment for media in a conflict that has provided many
examples of the sacrifice that journalists make to cover this story," said
White. "It is ever-more important that all sides take note of the need to
respect international law and the rights of non-combatants, including
journalists."
For more information
contact the IFJ at +32 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide
- FIP
- Sala de Prensa
- Noticias
- IFJ Mourns Loss of Journalist Killed in Lebanon Border Clash