The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has declared safety as the priority for journalists working in Asia following the shooting of journalist Nasir Afridi in Pakistan.
“Afridi’s murder brings to light the extent of the safety crisis for journalists across the region with close to half of the murders this year occurring in Asia,” said IFJ president Christopher Warren.
On Sunday December 5, 2005 Nasir Afridi the president of Darra Adam Press Club and journalist for a daily Urdu language newspaper was shot and killed while driving in his car in Northern Pakistan.
Afridi was killed by a stray bullet from a battle going on between the Bazi Khel and the Mala Khel tribes, according to IFJ’s affiliate in Pakistan the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). A truck driver was also killed in the attack.
The IFJ has expressed deep sorrow for the murder of Afridi and called on the authorities to launch a full investigation into the attack.
“The death of a colleague is always a great loss to the world’s journalism community and we send our condolences to Nasir Afridi’s family and colleagues,” said Warren.
The death of Afridi brings the global death toll of journalists and media workers during 2005 to 105, and the total for Asia to 43, with 25 of these occurring in South Asia.
“Safety continues to be the biggest issue facing journalists in South Asia, with an increase in number of journalists being killed, attacks and kidnappings occurring across the region,” said Warren.
For more information on the deteriorating situation for press freedom in South Asia see:
http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3118&Language=EN
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
