Director-General condemns murder of Filipino radio broadcaster Martin Roxas
18-08-2008 (Paris)
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today condemned the murder of Martin Roxas, radio broadcaster and programme director of dyKR-Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), on 7 August in Roxas City, in the Philippines.
“I condemn the murder of Martin Roxas,” said Mr Matsuura. “The perpetrators of such crimes are undermining the fundamental human right of freedom of expression, which is a cornerstone of democracy. I trust the Philippines authorities will spare no effort in tracking the murderers of Mr Roxas and bringing them to trial.”
Roxas, 32, had been investigating irregularity in local government. He had just finished his noon show, "Targetanay sa Ugto" ("Targeting at Noon"), and was on his way home when he was shot by a gunman riding pillion on a motorcycle. Roxas died an hour later in hospital.
According to the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Martin Roxas was the fourth journalist killed this year in the country. Thirty-three media professionals have been killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 2001.
Roxas, 32, had been investigating irregularity in local government. He had just finished his noon show, "Targetanay sa Ugto" ("Targeting at Noon"), and was on his way home when he was shot by a gunman riding pillion on a motorcycle. Roxas died an hour later in hospital.
According to the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Martin Roxas was the fourth journalist killed this year in the country. Thirty-three media professionals have been killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 2001.
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
· Press Freedom: News Archives 2008
· UNESCO Remembers Assassinated Journalists: News Archives 2008
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- UNESCO Press Release No. 2008 - 69
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