Journalists in Kosovo need visible 'sign of protection'

VIENNA, 14 June 1999 - The following statement was released today by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve.

Today with great sadness I learned of the deaths of three journalists in Kosovo. Two names have already been made public: Stern reporter Gabriel Gruener and photographer Volker Kraemer. Over the last decade many journalists in former Yugoslavia have paid with their lives for trying to do their job professionally. In 1998 fifty journalists were killed around the world, according to the International Press Institute / International Federation of Journalists. Nine of these lived in countries that are members of the OSCE and one person lived and worked in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a suspended member of the OSCE. Now more names have to be added to this tragic list.

I believe that it is imperative for the international community to try to ensure as much as possible the safety and security of journalists in conflict areas. The OSCE, its member-states, can take the lead on this matter.

One of the ways to protect journalists is by clearly identifying them as media professionals. A symbol could be developed that would act as a 'sign of protection' for journalists, just as the red cross signifies to the military a medical facility. Attacking one is a breach of the Geneva Conventions.

I urge the OSCE member-states, together with national and international journalists' unions, to develop such an emblem that should be accepted by all countries as a bona-fide 'sign of protection' for all journalists.