MUZAFFARABAD- Kashmiri journalists staged a rally here on April 11, 2003 to condemn killings of newsmen in bombing by the US troops in Iraq.

The rally was organized by “Press for Peace” – an organization of the working journalists which advocates freedom of press besides working on environmental and child labour issues.

“We condemn the killing of journalists in Iraq war,” read a banner, which the newsmen were carrying as they paraded from the local press club to the United Nations military observers’ office, here.

Another banner read: “Truth cannot be concealed by bombing the mediamen.”

The participants also chanted slogans in support of freedom of press and against the killing of media persons in US led invasion of Iraq.

Speaking to participants outside the United Nations observers’ office, PFP coordinator, Khwaja Zafar Iqbal said the purpose of the rally was to condemn and draw the attention of the world towards the intentional bombing of the hotel by United States troops, in which the slain journalists were staying.

“The journalists who dared to report the events in Iraq independently have been bombed to death for following their professional commitment and principles of accurate and honest reporting,” he said.
Source: Dawn
Date:4/12/2003