The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the New
Zealand Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) in expressing
grief over the death of Radio New Zealand bulletin editor Phillip Cottrell, who
died from injuries sustained in an assault in Wellington on December 10.
Cottrell,
who had also worked for the BBC in his native Scotland, was badly beaten and had
his wallet stolen while on his way home shortly after finishing a night shift
at 5:30am on December 10. He was found lying unconscious on a central Wellington street by a
taxi driver at approximately 5:40am.
Cottrell
suffered severe brain damage and serious injuries as a result of the attack,
which police say was random and unprovoked. He failed to regain consciousness
and died at Wellington
Hospital a day later.
“Our
thoughts are with our colleagues at Radio New Zealand
at this time of their terrible loss,” IFJ Asia-Pacific
Director Jacqueline Park said.
“Phillip
Cottrell’s death serves as a reminder that even in a relatively safe country
such as New Zealand,
the important work of journalists is not without dangers.”
A
30-person team of police investigating the incident, which is being treated as
a homicide, are reviewing CCTV footage and calling for any eyewitnesses to come
forward with information about the attack.
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
Find the
IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific
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IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific