Director-General Condemns Murder of Journalist Roger Mariano, 3rd in Philippines this Year
06-08-2004 (Paris)
UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura condemned the assassination of Philippines radio broadcaster Roger Mariano in Laoag City, in the north of the Philippines on July 31.
“I condemn the murder of Mr Mariano, which appears to be a cold blooded attempt to silence a critical voice,” said Mr Matsuura. “It is essential,” he added, “that the perpetrators of this cowardly act be brought to justice. The link between a free and independent press and democracy,” the Director-General concluded, “cannot be overstated. Intimidation and murder of journalists is therefore a crime against society as a whole, not just against the individuals targeted.”
UNESCO’s Member States recognized the importance of press freedom for democracy and the need to end the impunity of crimes against journalists when they adopted a resolution to that effect in 1997.
Roger Mariano, a broadcaster with DZJC-Aksyon Radio was shot dead by unknown assailants shortly after leaving the radio station. He is the third journalist to be killed in the Philippines this year and the 46th to be assassinated since the restoration of democracy in 1986.
(UNESCO Press Release No.2004-71)
UNESCO’s Member States recognized the importance of press freedom for democracy and the need to end the impunity of crimes against journalists when they adopted a resolution to that effect in 1997.
Roger Mariano, a broadcaster with DZJC-Aksyon Radio was shot dead by unknown assailants shortly after leaving the radio station. He is the third journalist to be killed in the Philippines this year and the 46th to be assassinated since the restoration of democracy in 1986.
(UNESCO Press Release No.2004-71)
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2004
· Philippines: News Archive 2004
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