Statement of Rep. Adam Schiff on the Deaths of Two Journalists in Syria
Washington, D.C.– Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), co-chair of the Press Freedom Caucus, released the following statement after two journalists, Marie Colvin of the Sunday Times of London and photographer Rémi Ochlik, were killed during an attack by the Syrian Army on a rebel stronghold:
“As the Syrian government continues its horrendous campaign of violence against its own people, journalists are increasingly caught in the cross hairs. Now the Syrian government can add two more courageous members of the press to its carnage – Marie Colvin and Rémi Ochlik. We join the international community in calling on the Damascus government to stop the violence. And we grieve over the loss of Marie and Remi. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and the families of all who have been lost to the violence.”
The New York Times reported that the two journalists had been working in a makeshift media center during the assault, “raising suspicions that Syrian security forces might have identified its location by tracing satellite signals.” According to the media freedom group Reporters Without Borders, seven members of the press have been killed in Syria as a result of their work since the start of the uprising. The Syrian government rarely grants visas for reporters to come into the country, and if they do, attempt to control their reporting. Because of these restrictions, it’s been difficult for reporters to observe the revolt in Syria, and reporters are running extreme risks in order to report on the uprising.
Information on the Caucus:The Press Freedom Caucus is a bipartisan caucus aimed at advancing press freedom around the world. The Congressional Caucus for the Freedom of the Press, co-chaired by Reps. Adam Schiff and Mike Pence, creates a forum to combat and condemn media censorship and the persecution of journalists around the world.