UNSCO deplores killing of Iraqi journalist Ali Al-Ansari

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today voiced deep concern over the killing of television journalist Ali Al-Ansari in Diyala Governorate, northeast of Baghdad on 23 January.

“I deplore the killing of Ali Al-Ansari, who died in the line of duty while covering fighting in the north of Iraq,” the Director-General said. “I am deeply concerned about the loss of so many journalists reporting on the conflict in the country. The high death toll among reporters is severely curtailing the ability of the media to provide the public with critical information.”

Ali Al-Ansari, a reporter for the Iraqi Al-Ghadeer television channel, was killed while covering an operation by Iraqi Security Forces against extremist groups. The Iraqi Journalists Syndicate recently honoured Al-Ansari for his courage in reporting on the conflict.

UNESCO advocates for the better protection of journalists working in dangerous environments and works to sensitize media organizations on the need to prepare journalists for the dangers of war reporting.

The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization’s General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.” /End/