Director-General condemns murder of Philippines journalist Fernando Lintuan
21-01-2008 (Paris)
Stop killing journalists
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The Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura, condemned the killing of Fernando Lintuan, a Philippines radio broadcaster in Davao, on Mindanao Island, on 24 December 2007.
“I condemn the murder of Fernando Lintuan,” the Director-General said. “I trust that the authorities’ expressed commitment to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice will be crowned with success. It is essential for democracy and rule of law, that journalists be able to exercise their profession without fearing for their lives. This is the case not only because we must respect the fundamental human right of freedom of expression, but because of the media’s essential role in democratic debate.”
Mr Lintuan, 51, known for his criticism of corruption, was shot at close range on his way home from the local radio station dxGO. Mr Lintuan is the fifth journalist killed in the Philippines in the course of 2007, according to the International Federation of Journalists.
UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this purpose the Organization is required to “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image…”
Mr Lintuan, 51, known for his criticism of corruption, was shot at close range on his way home from the local radio station dxGO. Mr Lintuan is the fifth journalist killed in the Philippines in the course of 2007, according to the International Federation of Journalists.
UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this purpose the Organization is required to “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image…”
Related themes/countries
· Philippines
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2008
· UNESCO Remembers Assassinated Journalists: News Archives 2008
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- UNESCO Press Release No.2008-02
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