(Note: Reuters Editor-in-Chief David Schlesinger sent this note to all Reuters journalists today after cameraman Fadel Shana was killed along with two civilians in the Gaza Strip. Full story here)
I’m very sorry to report that 23-year-old Reuters cameraman Fadel Shana was killed on Wednesday in what appeared to be an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip.
Our hearts obviously go out to his family, as we mourn another loss in our journalistic family. Our thoughts are with his colleagues in Israel and in Gaza who must go on rep
orting even when surrounded by tragedy.
I’ve called for an immediate and complete investigation into the incident. We know, of course, that journalism is a dangerous business. We know, of course, that we rush into danger when others rush away. We know, of course, that accidents happen.
But I also believe sincerely and absolutely that all of us — news organizations, governments and the military — have an obligation to make reporting safer and to take the utmost care when professional journalists are doing 
their jobs.
It is, of course, striking that this tragedy occurred on the last day for Reuters as it has been and the day before Thomson Reuters begins as a news and information power in the world. I can but reflect on our more than a century and a half of bravery and sacrifice in the service of the news, and to vow that Reuters news in the new company will forge a new tradition, building on the old, that we can all be incredibly proud of.
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The ICC is wrong at all because instead putting Albashir on trial for Darfur why could’nt they do like that to Israel for killing Reuters cameraman and palestinians.
ICC is an Israeli centre isee, may allah punish you!
Fatima
- Posted by FatimaJournalist
Bloomberg, Mogadishu
Dear editor-in chief you are right to say so, i’m sorry what israel did for Reuters cameraman, Israel wanted to hide its massacre on palestinians people when they shot dead cameraman Fadel Shana so Israel is stupis need to be put before the justice.
Abdinasir, Mogadishu, Somalia
- Posted by AbdinasirStaying 1.5km distance from the tank and pointing unknown object on it in the war zone is stupid behavior. Referring to blue jacket as a TV reporter protection, when sometimes islamic terrorists use similar dress is even more stupid argument. The editor in chief is profoundly ignorant person without any understanding what a war means. It is not a computer game, but a fight for life yourself and your comrades. And by the way, any police do the same in similar situation. The best advise is do not go to the war zone. About criminality: those journalists who publish intentionally fake and lie information of Israel and IDF, including Reuters, are criminals.
- Posted by Mark Bernadiner[...] far, so fair. But when Editor-in-Chief David Schlesinger turned his hand to eulogy, he betrayed the memory of 23-year-old Fadel [...]
- Posted by Death and the Baron « UntitledI was horrified at the tragedy of the young man. I did in fact create a tribute video the same day he was murdered (search YouTube for ‘fadel shana’.
I will be posting a message today in my website ziomania.com about my reaction to what Reuters Editor-in-Chief David Schlesinger had to say. There was no outrage or emotion as he spoke. What he said about journalists being in danger throughout the world seemed to me to be a lame attempt to minimize the criminality of those who murdered him. Where in the world did he think journalists were being slaughtered by missile attacks? He attempted to make it an ordinary daily event. What part of the world was he referring to when he said [this is a tragic incident that really shows the risk that journalists take everyday around the world.] He was asking the killers to do the investigation.
- Posted by sophieIt’s so heartbreaking to hear this, I hope that the investigation is pursued and Fadel’s killers are held fully accountable.
On another note, I can’t believe the gall of bloggers, with the last paragraph of this post…. what an inopportune time to promote Reuters’ new corporate structure.
- Posted by Erin SiegalNote that the NYU has not reported the illegal cluster munitions that killed your cameraman
- Posted by mike munkFadel..really i cant find any thing to say it ..just the fact ..Fadel is dead R.I.P
- Posted by Nidal Bulbul