On May 2, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer has appealed to governments and the international community to create a safer environment for journalists. In his speech CE Secretary General has condemned the death of media representatives in the Iraq war and the increasing threats to the physical safety of journalists worldwide. "Since the beginning of this year 25 journalists have been killed – including 14 in the Iraq war – and hundreds have been threatened or injured. Such actions cannot be condoned", Mr. Schwimmer declared. "Freedom of information is the touchstone of a democratic society and journalists must therefore be given the chance to exercise their profession without hindrance", he added. The head of CE has appealed to states and international institutions "to do all they can in order to create a world where journalists are free from threat”. And he called on the media themselves "to promote the highest professional standards in their daily work – ensuring the free flow of information to their readers and viewers".
