Safety of journalists in Syria under the spotlight
(Vatican Radio) Major news organizations are becoming increasingly concerned about
the safety of journalists reporting in Syria. Thirteen news outlets have sent a letter
to the leadership of the armed opposition in Syria, calling for urgent action against
rebel groups increasingly targeting journalists for kidnappings. The letter is
in response to a sharp rise in the number of journalists while on assignment in opposition-held
areas in northern Syria. Many of the abduction cases go unreported at the request
of families or employers in the hope that keeping the kidnappings out of public view
may help with negotiating the captives' release. It’s believed that up to 40 Syrian
and foreign journalists are being held against their will and the lack of response
to individual mediation efforts have encouraged some families and employers to speak
out. Speaking to Lydia O’Kane, Soazig Dollet who is Head of the Middle East and
Africa Department for Reporter Without Borders says, “since early September we can
really notice an increased number of kidnappings not only on foreign journalists but
also of Syrian news providers.” She goes on to say, “not all names are made public
for confidential reasons and security reasons.” On Tuesday, the families of two
Spanish journalists abducted nearly three months ago appealed publicly for their release,
after failing to make contact with the captors via intermediaries. While jihadi
groups are believed responsible for most kidnappings since the summer, government-backed
militias, criminal gangs and rebels affiliated with the Free Syrian Army also have
been involved. Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview with Soazig Dollet