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AAJA Joins In The Mourning And Alarm Over The Slayings In The Philippines
November 25, 2009
AAJA mourns the
death of more than two dozen journalists killed in the massacre in the Philippines.
The attack of an election convoy in the province of Maguindanao appears to be the single deadliest event for the press since 1992. The total death toll rose above 50.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the slain," said AAJA National President Sharon Chan. "AAJA stands with journalists who risk their lives each day to shine a light into distant corners of the world."
To the Philippines government, AAJA urges all steps be taken to bring to justice those responsible for the killings. The brazen act, we fear, could have a chilling effect on reporters and their work.
To the slain journalists and the other victims, we extend to their families our sympathies and our thanks for their efforts to report and to illuminate the political process of that country.
And to the Filipino journalism community at large, we express solidarity and offer our encouragement. We look to them to help reveal what happened in Maguindanao this week, and to continue the important journalistic role of pursuing truth and reporting without fear. We at AAJA stand with them on these shared principles.