By Zoe Smith
The director of the International News Safety Institute has criticised newspapers for their lack of support in the campaign to gain greater security for journalists.
INSI, established three years ago by the International Press Institute and the International Federation of Journalists, is pressing the United Nations Security Council to make a declaration committing to action to tackle the growing number of journalists being killed around the world.
INSI director Rodney Pinder said: "It is pretty appalling. The amount of support within the print business for the safety of journalists working in the field is notable only by its absence."
While the institute has the support of dozens of broadcast organisations, only three newspapers — The Guardian, the Financial Times and the Boston Globe — are members.
At the IPI’s World Congress in Edinburgh next month — which will features speakers such as South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Sir Harold Evans and the BBC’s Mark Thompson — plans for a country-by-country "Murder Index" will be unveiled.
It will list journalist deaths and any information about investigations or prosecutions. Pinder said he was confident that the index would be "comprehensive" and "relevant".
He added: "Murder and maiming of journalists has reached such a level that we feel it should be raised at the highest level in the global community for effective action — at the United Nations."
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