Director-General deplores killing of Philippines journalist Jojo Trajano
12-06-2009 (Paris)
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today deplored the killing of Philippines journalist Jojo Trajano near Manila on 3 June, and emphasized the importance of safety training programmes for journalists.
“I deplore the death of Jojo Trajano,” the Director-General said. “Mr Trajano died in the line of duty, working to satisfy people’s need and right to be informed. No effort must be spared to ensure the safety of media workers and provide them with training to help them optimize their security while facing the dangers of their profession.”
Jojo Trajano was shot in a crossfire between police and a group of suspected criminals in Taytay Town near Manila. He was covering the raid for his local newspaper, Remate.
Jojo Trajano was shot in a crossfire between police and a group of suspected criminals in Taytay Town near Manila. He was covering the raid for his local newspaper, Remate.
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 the Organization is requested 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
· UNESCO Remembers Assassinated Journalists: News Archives 2009
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- UNESCO Press Release No.2009-59
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