Watchdog seeks assurances of media safety from Israel

[Herschel]

An international media watchdog has urged French President Jacques Chirac to seek guarantees from his Israeli counterpart, Moshe Katzav, on the freedom and safety of journalists covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr Katzav will meet Mr Chirac when he visits France next week.

The Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) has urged the French President to raise the issue of reporters' safety in the Middle East.

In a letter sent to Mr Chirac, RSF called for "Israel to guarantee the freedom and safety of foreign and Palestinian journalists working in Israel and the Palestinian territories occupied by the Israeli Army".

"Working and travel conditions for journalists, especially Palestinians and foreigners, were very difficult in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip because of the hostile attitude of some Israeli soldiers, who disobeyed their commanders' orders but were very rarely punished," it said.

cut

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1045192.htm

Journalists would do well to follow direction of the IDF. There is risk involved in their chosen work. Accept it or choose another.

[ex_jew]

1. I'm confused - did James Miller fail to follow directions ?

Or is his death simply due to working in a risky occupation ?

P.S. Herschel - would you care to comment on reports that the BBC may be broken up ? Does this strike you as a "good thing" ?

[Herschel]

2. I am not familiar

with the details of Mr. Miller's death or if he may have obstructed a military operation. I favor any change making the BBC less anti-Israel.

[ex_jew]

4. OK here are some details:

(RSF/IFEX) - On 8 May 2003, RSF called for the punishment of those responsible for the death of British freelance cameraman James Miller on 2 May. An autopsy revealed that the the only bullet to hit him entered his body from the front. The journalist was killed as he was filming troops in the Gaza Strip.

The findings by Israel's National Forensics Institute confirm the account of witnesses at the scene who said troops opened fire on Miller and other journalists wearing jackets marked "press" and waving a white flag as they approached the troops.

Colonel Avi Levy, the deputy Israeli military commander in Gaza, earlier said his men started shooting after anti-tank weapons were fired. Levy had suggested that Miller might have been killed by Palestinian gunfire.

"We are glad the autopsy was carried out," said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. "The investigation must now work to establish who was responsible for the shooting. Those who fired the shots must be held accountable. The impunity enjoyed by Israeli soldiers must end."

At the time of the incident, Miller had been filming Israeli troops destroying a house in Rafah. The soldiers said they later found him lying on the ground with a neck wound. Miller died while waiting for an army helicopter to take him to an Israeli hospital. The army expressed its regret, but added that the journalist had taken a serious risk by being in a war zone.

Miller is the second journalist to be killed by Israeli army gunfire in 2003, and the fifth since the second Intifada began in September 2000.

source: http://www.ifex.org/es/content/view/full/49589/

Here's another statement:

Union demands Israeli investigation of member's killing

May 13 2003

THE NUJ is supporting demands that Israel conducts a full criminal enquiry into the killing in Gaza of film-maker James Miller on May 2. James Miller, a NUJ member, was the first British journalist to be killed in Israel or the Occupied Territories.

The union made its demand as it learned that evidence is about to be published in Israel that undermines the Israeli Defence Force's contention that he was shot from behind in cross-fire with Palestinian militants.

The National Forensic Institute, an authoritative and independent body, has conducted a post mortem that shows that he was shot in the front of the neck. According to witnesses, he was walking towards an IDF armoured personnel carrier, waving a white flag. Video of the incident has shown there was no firing at the Israelis.

Source: http://www.nuj.org.uk/front/inner.php?docid=539

No one is hiding behind "failure to follow instructions". He was shot in cold blood. No one was punished so far as I know.

Do you honestly feel that killing journalists and dismantling the world's most trusted news organization is the way to go ? I personally believe "the truth will set you free" and nothing else.

[Herschel]

5. I see nothing here

that would lead me to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt this was deliberate murder. Until then, we will have to consider this a result of Mr. Miller endangering himself.

[ex_jew]

6. "I see nothing" - you got that right !

What you don't see is the whole issue. For instance:

According to witnesses, he was walking towards an IDF armoured personnel carrier, waving a white flag. Video of the incident has shown there was no firing at the Israelis.

I suppose the Palestinians are endangering themselves by living in a war zone. Maybe the Israelis are too !

[Herschel]

7. Once again

there is no evidence this was deliberate murder of an innocent. Let this unfortunate man rest. He goes the way of Rachel Corrie, those that foolishly endanger themselves and meet their fate.

[ex_jew]

8. Just curious...

What would constitute evidence in your mind ? The man was waving a white flag as he walked toward Israeli troops. Then they shot him. Are you saying that anyone shot in that situation is simply "unfortunate" ? Or would a nice clear videotape showing the IDF soldier firing the gun that took this man's life convince you that a crime was committed ?

I'm wondering if ANY crime "in the defense of Israel" is not forgiveable by you.

[Herschel]

9. Please!

Are you suggesting Israeli troops suddenly decided, in unison, to murder a reporter? And why would they only kill Mr. Miller amongst other reporters? Is it more likely this was an accident? I think you know the answer.

[ex_jew]

10. One bullet takes one soldier

not a conspiracy "acting in unison".

You're actually saying that the failure to kill all the journalists is evidence of innocence ? Maybe you'd like to sketch out the scenario under which a man walking under a white flag is "accidentally" shot.

[methinks2]

3. Since Americans fund

Just about everything in Israel with billions of dollars yearly plus armaments, then Americans should have completely free passes anywhere the choose to go. If a IDF member murders and American, automatic life in prison.. . They should remember who pays for all of their nice stuff.