Association Wants Proper Protection For Media Personnel

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- In the wake of gunmen attacking the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo which left 12 people dead Wednesday, the Asia Pacific Association of Press Clubs has called on governments and authorities worldwide to provide proper protection to journalists and media personnel in the line of duty. The association also called on the French Government to bring the assailants to justice, and urged spiritual and religious leaders to promote among their followers, respect for the freedom of the press and tolerance towards other views. Expressing shock at the terrorist attack, the association said the murderers and their extremist ideology were a threat to press freedom everywhere. It said a free press was essential to a free and civilised society. Among those killed in the tragedy included the magazine's editor, four well-known cartoonists and two police officers. -- BERNAMA