Press release

Director-General condemns killing of journalist Brent Renaud in Ukraine

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the killing of US journalist Brent Renaud in Ukraine on 13 March. He was shot while reporting in the Kyiv suburb of Irpin.
I condemn the killing of Brent Renaud. Journalists have a critical role in providing information during a conflict, and should never be targeted. I call on the respect of international humanitarian standards, to ensure that journalists and media workers are protected.
Audrey Azoulay UNESCO Director-General

Renaud had worked for a number of American outlets, including HBO, NBC and The New York Times, and had reported from multiple conflict zones. His reporting partner was also shot in the same incident but survived.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

Last year, UNESCO published a policy brief on the safety of foreign correspondents to raise attention to the specific risks and threats they face.

 

See also: UNESCO observatory of killed journalists

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