The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has
condemned a bomb attack by Basque terrorists targeting a number of media
networks in the city of Bilbao.
A van charged with explosive material was blown up outside the headquarters of
the Basque public radio television station EiTB, a building also housing number
of other media. There were no injuries reported.
"Just on the day when the IFJ has announced how
journalism has suffered from violence around the world this year, the Basque
terrorists of ETA have shown their contempt for media and free expression,"
said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.
This is the second attack in 2008 carried out by ETA against
mass media in Bilbao,
says the IFJ. On June 8 a bomb blast caused destruction at the offices and
printing offices of the daily newspaper El Correo. Other media offices
hit by today's blast were Deia, Antena 3,
Expansión, El Mundo and Onda
Cero.
"We strongly support the condemnation of this attack
by our Spanish colleagues," added White. "They are determined to carry
on reporting freely despite these threats."
The IFJ says that in recent
years several journalists have been killed by ETA and many more continue to
work either under escort or, for most of them, with no special protection
despite daily death threats.
For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235
2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists
in 123 countries worldwide
