"In the context of conflict or disaster areas, journalists are in a vulnerable position, and their safety is at high risk," Vice President of UNI Apro MEI Khairruzzaman Hj Mohammad stated here in Davao, the Philippines, on Tuesday evening.
The statement was made at a joint session of the Conference of UNI Apro for MEI held in Davao, the Philippines, on August 14-15, 2018.
Mohammad noted that journalists were representatives of the public in seeking information and had the right to know what is recognized and guaranteed in various international declarations and agreements.
Based on the law, he emphasized that the state has an obligation to protect the rights of journalists.
Journalists must be protected while seeking the widest possible information, he asserted.
He said journalists often risked their lives while covering social conflicts and humanitarian disasters.
"The journalists` safety is particularly at stake while covering in conflict and disaster areas," he remarked.
Hence, he stated that media company owners must provide insurance to journalists especially while covering extraordinary events, such as social conflicts and disasters.
Indonesia, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Nepal participated in the Conference of UNI Apro for MEI.
Editing by A Abdussalam
Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
