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Killed reporters' memorial opens | Killed reporters' memorial opens |
(10 minutes later) | |
A memorial to journalists killed while doing their work is to be unveiled by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. | A memorial to journalists killed while doing their work is to be unveiled by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. |
The 10m (32ft) glass and steel cone on top of BBC Broadcasting House in central London will shine a beam of light into the sky every night at 2200. | The 10m (32ft) glass and steel cone on top of BBC Broadcasting House in central London will shine a beam of light into the sky every night at 2200. |
It is dedicated to all news journalists and those who have worked with them, including drivers and translators. | It is dedicated to all news journalists and those who have worked with them, including drivers and translators. |
Over the past 10 years an estimated two war reporters have died each week, with many more killed covering corruption. | Over the past 10 years an estimated two war reporters have died each week, with many more killed covering corruption. |
Recent deaths | Recent deaths |
Relatives of some of the victims will join the UN secretary general for the dedication ceremony. | Relatives of some of the victims will join the UN secretary general for the dedication ceremony. |
The BBC's Abdul Rohani and Nasteh Dahir Faraah were both recently killed | The BBC's Abdul Rohani and Nasteh Dahir Faraah were both recently killed |
The memorial's inauguration follows the recent deaths of two BBC journalists, Abdul Samad Rohani and Nasteh Dahir Faraah, in Afghanistan and Somalia. | The memorial's inauguration follows the recent deaths of two BBC journalists, Abdul Samad Rohani and Nasteh Dahir Faraah, in Afghanistan and Somalia. |
Rodney Pinder, director of the International News Safety Institute (INSI), which works for more safety for journalists, said: "These men and women are the unsung heroes of democracy, for without a free press there can be no freedom. | Rodney Pinder, director of the International News Safety Institute (INSI), which works for more safety for journalists, said: "These men and women are the unsung heroes of democracy, for without a free press there can be no freedom. |
"This shaft of light in the capital of international journalism is a visual reminder of their sacrifice." | "This shaft of light in the capital of international journalism is a visual reminder of their sacrifice." |
BBC Chairman Sir Michael Lyons drew attention to the risks taken by many journalists in the course of their work. | BBC Chairman Sir Michael Lyons drew attention to the risks taken by many journalists in the course of their work. |
He said: "The implicit contract, whereby journalists place their lives at risk to help us understand the world and its events better, needs to be reaffirmed. | He said: "The implicit contract, whereby journalists place their lives at risk to help us understand the world and its events better, needs to be reaffirmed. |
"At moments like this that sacrifice is properly valued and the loss is widely shared." | "At moments like this that sacrifice is properly valued and the loss is widely shared." |
Was fear already pulling at their minds and their guts? Or did they have no idea what was coming? Jeremy BowenBBC Middle East editor The dangers of war reporting | |
The sculpture, entitled Breathing, is by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. | The sculpture, entitled Breathing, is by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. |
It was specially commissioned and selected as a result of an international competition for the BBC's public art scheme. | It was specially commissioned and selected as a result of an international competition for the BBC's public art scheme. |
The BBC also commissioned a poem to complement the structure by ex-war correspondent and poet, James Fenton. | The BBC also commissioned a poem to complement the structure by ex-war correspondent and poet, James Fenton. |
In 2006, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1738, which demanded an end to attacks on journalists. | In 2006, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1738, which demanded an end to attacks on journalists. |
The full text of the James Fenton poem is: | The full text of the James Fenton poem is: |
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Drivers, interpreters, these were our friends. These we loved. These we were trusted by. The shocked hand wipes the blood across the lens. The lens looks to the sky. | Drivers, interpreters, these were our friends. These we loved. These we were trusted by. The shocked hand wipes the blood across the lens. The lens looks to the sky. |
Most died by mischance. Some seemed honour-bound to take the lonely, peerless track conceiving danger as a testing ground to which they must go back | Most died by mischance. Some seemed honour-bound to take the lonely, peerless track conceiving danger as a testing ground to which they must go back |
till the tongue fell silent and they crossed beyond the realm of time and fear. Death waved them through the checkpoint. They were lost. All have their story here. | till the tongue fell silent and they crossed beyond the realm of time and fear. Death waved them through the checkpoint. They were lost. All have their story here. |