UN Official Deplores NATO Attack on Libyan Television Station
New York, Aug 8 2011 - The head of the United Nations agency entrusted with safeguarding press freedom today deplored a
recent North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) attack on Libyan State broadcasting facilities last month which killed
three media workers and injured 21 people.
“Media outlets should not be targeted in military actions,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova said in a statement, citing a Security Council resolution from 2006 that condemns
acts of violence against journalists and media personnel in conflict situations.
“The NATO strike is also contrary to the principles of the Geneva Conventions that establish the civilian status of
journalists in times of war even when they engage in propaganda,” she added. “Silencing the media is never a solution.
Fostering independent and pluralistic media is the only way to enable people to form their own opinion.”
NATO issued a statement saying that the strike was conducted in accordance with Security Council resolution 1973 adopted
in March, which authorizes the use of “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya, where the regime of
Muammar al-Qadhafi has conducted a military offensive against citizens seeking both greater freedoms and his removal
from power.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS