IFJ expresses outrage over the shooting of Thai journalist
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed outrage over the recent shooting of a senior journalist in a southern province of Thailand.
Kiat Saetang, managing editor of the bi-monthly newspaper Had Yai Post, was killed instantly on 14 February 2005 when two unidentified men on motorbikes shot him in the back while he was riding his motorbike through a market in the town of Had Yai.
"We are outraged by this cruel and cowardly attack and demand that immediate steps are taken to find those responsible and swiftly bring them to justice" said IFJ President Christopher Warren today.
Kiat Saetang had reportedly been receiving telephone threats prior to the attack, which his wife believes were connected to his hard-hitting critiques of the misconduct of local Had Yai politicians.
Earlier this year, a reporter in another southern Pattani province working for Thailand's private television channel iTV was shot and badly injured while reporting on the parliamentary elections.
"It is impossible for a free and independent press to function when journalists are harassed, intimidated and fear losing their lives," said the President of the IFJ, the global organisation representing more than 500,000 journalists worldwide.
For further information contact Christopher Warren on +61 (0) 411 757 668.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
Click here to view the media release online: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/thailand050215.html
