UN condemns deadly attacks on journalists

The killing of investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta on Monday has been condemned by the head of the UN's science and cultural agency, UNESCO, along with two other deadly attacks on journalists in Afghanistan and Colombia.

In her statement, Irina Bokova welcomed a pledge by the Maltese government to investigate the car bomb attack that killed Mrs Caruana Galizia on 16 October.

She also condemned the killing of local radio journalist Efigenia Vásquez Astudillo on 8 October in Tumaco, in south-west Colombia, and the shooting four days later of Afghan television channel director Shir Mohammad Jahish.

In the attack by unidentified gunmen in Afghanistan's Baghlan Province, Mr. Jahish sustained light injuries and his bodyguard died.

So far this year, 27 reporters have been killed, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Attempts on the lives of media workers threaten journalists' ability to carry out their work, which is essential for democracy and good governance, the UNESCO chief said.

UN Radio/GBCONLINE
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