Geneva, 25 April 2003 - We, the Members of the European Broadcasting Union Radio News Group, met in Geneva on 24-25 April 2003 and reviewed the conditions under which journalists worked in Iraq and other war zones.

All the members of the Group expressed their grave concern about the very high number of casualties amongst the journalists covering the war in Iraq. Despite all the journalists organizations' investing in high quality safety training and equipment in the war, the number of journalists who were killed or injured was unacceptably high. 

Furthermore, there are deep concerns that some of these casualties were deliberately caused. These concerns focus mainly on the Palestine Hotel where it was well known that all foreign media were based. In addition, the attacks on premises occupied by the Al-Jazeera television station were particularly disturbing.

Journalists and colleagues throughout the world fear that Al-Jazeera was deliberately targeted because of the station's editorial position.

Violence against journalists, because of what they are reporting is fundamentally wrong.

Contacts: 
Arlette Dumont
Head of EBU Radio News and Sports
Tel: +41 (0)22 717 2603 
Mob: +33 6 08 64 27 95
arlette.dumont@ebu.ch

Morand Fachot
EBU Communications Service: 
Tel: +41 (0)79 205 6314
fachot@ebu.ch