Press Release: AP President: Killing Of Journalists Should Be A War Crime

James Foley, captured and murdered by ISIS
Source:  Globalnews.ca

Mar. 30, 2015

HONG KONG (AP) — The president and CEO of The Associated Press called on Monday for changes to international laws that would make it a war crime to kill journalists or take them hostage.

Gary Pruitt said a new framework is needed to protect journalists as they cover conflicts in which they are increasingly seen as targets by extremist groups.

"It used to be that when media wore PRESS emblazoned on their vest, or PRESS or MEDIA was on their vehicle, it gave them a degree of protection" because reporters were seen as independent civilians telling the story of the conflict, Pruitt said.

"But guess what: That labeling now is more likely to make them a target," he said in a speech at Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondents' Club.

Last year was a particularly deadly year for the AP -- four of the news cooperative's journalists were killed on assignment. Globally, 61 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 2014, bringing to more than 1,000 the number who have died since 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Read the full release: www.ap.org

Especially noteworthy Prepared remarks by AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt : www.ap.org