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Online Journalism News

US urged to investigate cameraman's death

Posted: 20/08/03 By: Jemima Kiss
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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has written to Donald Rumsfeld, the US Secretary for Defence, demanding a full and public investigation into the death of Reuters cameraman Mazen Dana in Iraq this week.

In the open letter, published on the organisation’s web site, the CPJ says the circumstances of Mr Dana’s death raise serious questions about the conduct of US troops and their rules of engagement.

Mr Dana was shot outside Abu Ghraib Prison on the outskirts of Baghdad after US military officials had given permission for journalists to film in the area. Mr Dana was shot by a soldier in a tank who mistook his camera for a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

Several campaign groups have since reiterated their security advice for journalists working in war zones. The CPJ web site features a detailed safety guide for journalists in conflict areas that includes advice on protective clothing, vaccinations and dealing with captive situations.

"The safety of journalists has long been a priority for CPJ for obvious reasons, but we noticed an increase in queries from journalists in the wake of Daniel Pearl's murder," Wacuka Mungai, CPJ communications co-ordinator, told dotJournalism.

Although many larger media groups now provide hostile environment training for journalists, many still travel unprepared, according to Ms Mungai. Twelve journalists have been killed in Iraq since the beginning of the war in March and five of those were killed by the US military.

"We decided to compile an up-to-date guide to be used not just by those in the field, but also by the media managers who send journalists on dangerous assignments."

The web is the major platform for CPJ projects. "The internet has been crucial to our advocacy: CPJ fights for the rights of journalists by using journalism to advocate on behalf of our colleagues," Ms Mungai said.

"Where attacks are ongoing, widespread, or life-threatening, CPJ organises intensive advocacy campaigns, partnering with other press freedom organisations with the global email network called the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX)."

* In 2001, Mazen Dana won an International Press Freedom Award from the CPJ for his work in the West Bank city of Hebron.

Collecting his award at the ceremony in New York City, Mr Dana expressed his sadness at the death of four colleagues who had been killed in Afghanistan the previous day.

"This tragedy illustrates just how costly uncovering the truth can be. The bitterness of this event is only alleviated by the knowledge that journalists around the world continue to strive for the truth.

"Words and images are a public trust and for this reason I will continue with my work regardless of the hardships - even if it costs me my life."

See also:
http://www.cpj.org/protests/03ltrs/Iraq18aug03pl.html
http://www.cpj.org/awards01/dana.html
http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/story694.html
http://www.ap.org/pages/indnews/#anchor1