Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA — The United Nations agency entrusted with defending the freedom of the press, condemning the fatal wounding of a journalist in Gaza, Monday called on Israel to allow local and international media professionals to report on events in the area, UNIC said.
UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director General Koïchiro Matsuura cited UN resolutions forbidding attacks on journalists and media installations and calling on Member States to reaffirm their commitment to the principles of freedom of the press and freedom of information.
He deployed the killing of Basel Faraj, a cameraman for the Algerian TV network ENTV and for the Palestine Broadcast Production Company, who died on January 6 from wounds sustained during an Israeli air strike on December 27.
“Basel Faraj has paid for his dedication to his profession with his life,” he said in a statement, highlighting the importance of respecting the right of journalists to exercise their professional duties and keep the world informed about what is taking place in Gaza.
Last week UN Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information Kiyo Akasaka called on Israel to ensure immediate access for international media into Gaza, stressing the need for ‘full and independent’ coverage of events there.
“Access to objective and factual information is of vital importance at all times, and plays a particularly important role in emergency situations,” he said in a letter to Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalev.