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Safrea, the Southern African Freelancers’ Association, has condemned the killing of freelance journalist Steven Sotloff in Syria, allegedly by members of the ISIS jihadist organisation.

His murder – and that of colleague James Foley two weeks earlier – reinforces the mortal danger faced by freelancers in war zones. These reporters often receive precious little support from the international news outlets that use their content.

“Journalists’ presence in the field is crucial in bringing the reality of war to the world’s attention,” said Safrea chairman Clive Lotter. “It also provides a historical document of the horror and the atrocities that result from some political decisions.”

“This grotesque murder highlights the pressure under which freelance journalists operate,” said Lotter. “There are also few support structures for working journalists in the field.” The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 33 journalists have already been killed worldwide this year.

Lotter noted that: “Journalists are drawn from all countries and faiths. Although his murder received scant publicity, Bassam Rais, a Muslim Syrian journalist, was also executed by ISIS in recent weeks.”

With the rationalisation of news organisations, staff counts are falling and more and more use is being made of freelance journalists. These committed writers and photographers often have to buy their own plane tickets, equipment and safety gear in order to report stories. Their pay is often barely enough to cover the cost of telling the story.

“The individuals who executed and filmed the beheading of these two journalists ’to send a message to America’ are hopelessly misguided,” said Lotter. “Those journalists are there to bring the story to the whole world. If ISIS has a just cause, capturing journalists, then filming their gruesome murders, will not convince anyone of its validity.”

“It will only strengthen the resolve of other journalists to share news as accurately and insightfully as they can, to fight injustice and to bring the awareness of what is happening in the world to more people’s attention.”

Lotter paid tribute to Steven Sotloff, James Foley and Bassam Rais for their selfless contributions to journalism. “These brave people have enhanced our understanding of the conflict in the Middle East and the world at large. They will not be forgotten.”

Issued by Safrea