UNESCO boss deplores death of journalist Nematullah Zahir in Afghanistan

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 November 2016

Nematullah Zaheer, a journalist from Ariana TV, was killed by a bomb in Helmand province. UNESCO's Director-General called for improved safety measures for media professionals.

Summary

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova (pictured), Tuesday deplored the death of broadcast journalist Nematullah Zaheer in Afghanistan’s Helmand province on November 4.

"I deplore the killing of Nematullah Zaheer," said the Director-General, in a media release. "It is essential that the authorities as well as media organizations in Afghanistan do all they can to improve the safety of media workers. As part of the drive to save lives and enable the media to continue informing the public, UNESCO and its partners have published guidebook for journalists in high-risk environments, which I call on all concerned to heed.”

Nematullah Zaheer, a reporter for Ariana TV, was killed by a bomb near the city of Lashkar Gah while driving on a reporting assignment.

The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization’s General Conference of 1997, entitled "Condemnation of Violence against Journalists."

Image courtesy: http://www.panorama.am

KEY POINTS:

• Nematullah Zaheer was killed on November 4 while on a reporting assignment.
• The UNESCO Director-General condemned the violence against journalists.
• UNESCO has published a guidebook for journalists in high-risk environments.
• Authorities and media organizations are urged to enhance safety measures.
• The incident aligns with UNESCO's Resolution 29 on violence against journalists.