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July 13,
2006
India: The International Federation
of Journalists (IFJ) has extended its condolences
to all those affected by the July 11 train bombings
in Mumbai, India, and its concern for the well-being
of journalists who have been affected by the tragedy.
The death toll from the attack
currently stands at 200, after first-class train
carriages were targeted in India's financial hub.
The IFJ is now investigating
whether any media workers have been killed or
injured as a result of the attack, and asks its
affiliate organisations in the region to continue
to support affected journalists and their families.
"The IFJ and its affiliates
are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life
and injuries that has occurred, and we express
our deepest sympathy to those affected,"
IFJ President Christopher Warren said.
"We are also thinking of
our journalist colleagues, media workers and their
families who may have been affected by the tragedy,"
he said.
The IFJ calls upon those journalists
reporting on the tragedy to be sensitive toward
victims and all those affected by Tuesday's attack,
but also to remember their own emotional well-being
when covering trauma.
"The IFJ reminds journalists
that this is a time of grieving for many people,
and they have the right to do so in privacy,"
Warren said.
"The continued responsible
reporting of journalists in the region will be
vital in bringing news of recovery and relief
efforts to local communities and to the world,
and as such ensuring support mechanisms are in
place for journalists is essential to this process,"
said Warren.
The IFJ also stresses the importance
of journalists working in the region to be aware
of their own personal and emotional safety, and
not to put themselves or those around them in
danger.
"It can take weeks or even
months for trauma from tragedies such as this
to set in, and we urge any media workers who have
been affected to seek counselling or medical assistance,"
Warren said.
"The traumatic stories journalists
hear from survivors and victim's families can
often have a vicarious affect, and it's vital
that both victims and journalists receive the
support and protection they need to cope. Importantly,
editors and colleagues need to be aware of the
signs of trauma for journalists."
The Australasian DART Centre
for Journalism and Trauma has extensive information
on reporting in disaster zones.
For more information visit http://www.dartcenter.org/australasia/index.html
To view the full report visit
www.ifj-asia.org.
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