THE COST OF WAR REPORTING : TWO MORE REPORTERS MISSING IN SYRIA

 

 photo : cpj

 The kidnapping of journalist in war torn areas is always a danger, but in Syria, because of the extreme fracturing of the insurgents' factions, it is especially dangerous.

First of all, just to identify who might be the kidnapper takes some incredible sleuth work.  But in the case of Domenico Quirico, an Italian journalist, nothing has since surfaced to give clues to his whereabouts. Quirici has been missing for nearly three weeks.

In addtion, today, press releases have informed of two more missing journalists in Syria, a Belgian national, Pierre Piccinin de Prata, and journalist Austin Tice.  Two more are also missing, although there are no news or information on them. 

The most appalling thing is that journalists are targeted by both the rebel factions and the Syrian army.  Syrian rebels have been known to use journalists as targets to garner international press and involvement.  

Although the immediate release of the reporters has been requested internationally, there is an apparent lack of immediate concern in handling the disappearance of the journalists in a way that would ensure a quick release.  

Journalists are also calling for more awareness of the dangers posed by the Syria conflict, and are asking that all parties involved in the civil war respect the rules of press engagement not to harm them or use them as pawns in war theaters.  

In fact Syria has become the most dangerous war locale ever for journalists. In the two years since the civil war began, 23 journalists have been killed and 22 imprisoned, and 55 citizens-reporters killed and 18 jailed.  

Source: RWB  5.1.13