Global press body WAN-IFRA has called on governments and international institutions to prioritise journalists’ safety as it claimed that at least 1127 journalists have died doing their job since 1992.
The board of press owners' body WAN-IFRA said the news industry should propose ideas for improving the safety and protection of journalists and work together to support journalists reporting in unsafe environments.
A resolution on this issue is set to be discussed at the World News Media Congress in Washington DC this week. Over 900 editors, publishers and other senior news executives are expected to attend the congress, which is taking place alongside the World Editors Forum and World Advertising Forum.
The Board of WAN-IFRA said: "WAN-IFRA calls on governments worldwide to actively support the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity and encourages support organisations to work more closely with media companies to address the gaps in training, equipment and expertise that could contribute to reducing dangers".
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It said that half of the journalists killed doing their jobs since 1992 worked in print media and the vast majority were local journalists.
The Board has also issued four other resolutions calling for: the release of Golden Pen laureates and all jailed journalists, for Venezuela, Ecuador and the Turkish Authorities to respect independent press and for greater support to media in fragile states.
Live updates from the World News Media Congress are available here.
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