(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) PARIS, Oct 31 (KUNA) -- International press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RWB) on Tuesday expressed alarm over rising violence against journalists working in northern Iraq amid tension WITH Kurdish troops.
RWB condemned the murder of a Kurdish TV cameraman near Kirkuk on Monday, but equally condemned attacks on media by demonstrators in Irbil the previous day.
"The two separate incidents in the space of a few hours point to an alarming decline in the security of journalists in northern Iraq," a statement from RWB warned.
"The current political differences in this part of the world must not blind us to an unacceptable reality, namely crimes of violence against civilians and, in this case, the cold-blooded murder of a journalist," RWB said relative to the killing of cameraman Abdullah Arkan Shareef, who worked for "Kurdistan TV".
Shareef, 50, was stabbed to death in his home by unknown attackers and RWB has called on Iraq to carry out an official enquiry into his death.
The press organisation also complained about attacks against the press in Kurdish controlled areas and said physical attacks and sacking of media premises are taking place on an increasing level.
A general level of insecurity is reported in the area on both sides of the divide.
Iraq is ranked 158th out of 180 on the RWB "World Press Freedom Index" and, along with Syria, has long been one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. (end) jk.hb
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