Two separate memorial services are to be held over the next month at journalists’ church St Bride’s on Fleet Street, in memory of journalists killed during the war in Iraq.
The first will celebrate the life and work of Channel 4 News foreign correspondent Gaby Rado, who fell from the roof of his hotel in Sulaimaniya, northern Iraq in March.
The service will be held on Thursday, 18 September, at 11.30am, followed by a reception next to the church at 12.30pm.
Rado was one of Channel 4 News’ longest serving reporters, having joined ITN from the BBC in 1985, and moved to Channel 4 News in 1988. He was one of two ITN journalists to die during the war, within the space of two weeks, following the death of ITV News reporter Terry Lloyd.
Anyone interested in attending should contact Sophie Cohen at sophie.cohen@itn.co.uk or call 020 7430 4857 to confirm.
On Wednesday, 8 October, at 6.30pm, another service, entitled “Witness”, will be held to commemorate all journalists covering the conflict and remember those who died. The service will include specially commissioned music and images on the “Witness” theme and a memorial inscription to those who died will be unveiled during the service. “We have a tradition of holding a vigil for journalists out reporting in areas of conflict, like for John McCarthy while he was held in Beirut.
It is important to recognise everybody in these situations,” said Claire Seaton, choir secretary at St Bride’s Church.
Interested parties should call the church office on 020 7427 0133 or e-mail info@stbrides.com.
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