Israel
Army closes investigation into death of cameramanPosted Dec 17 2008
The Israeli army has closed the official investigation into the death of Reuters cameraman Fadel Shana. Shana was killed in April by Israeli tank fire in Gaza City when troops mistook his camera for a weapon.
Israel’s senior military lawyer said troop fire was justified because it wasn’t clear if Shana was holding a weapon or a camera; however, conflicting reports have said that Shana had been standing in a designated press spot and that his vehicle had clear press markings.
According to the Institute for Middle East Understanding, Reuters Editor-in-chief David Schlesinger believes the tragedy highlights the daily risks still facing journalists.
“All governments and organizations have the responsibility to take the utmost care to protect professionals trying to do their jobs,” he said.
The investigation’s official close comes as a Reporters Without Borders analysis ranks Israel 149th in press freedom worldwide, 46 spots down from last year’s assessment.