UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova briefs reporters at UN Headquarters. UN Photo/Mark Garten

17 July 2015 – The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, today called on the Indian authorities to investigate thoroughly the death of reporter Akshay Singh in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh on 4 July.

“I express my condolences to Akshay Singh's family, friends and colleagues and urge the authorities to investigate his death,” the Director-General sai “It is essential for rule of law and for society's right to be kept informed, that the authorities do all they can to clarify the cause of Mr. Singh's death. Reporters must be able to carry out their professional duties in a safe environment and crimes against them must not go unpunished”, Ms. Bokova added.

Akshay Singh, a local TV journalist for the private Hindi news channel Aaj Tak, was investigating corruption in the north central state of Madhya Pradesh when he died from what doctors in a local hospital said was a heart attack. Media reports have raised doubts about the cause of Mr. Singh's death.

The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization's General Conference of 1997 entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.” These statements are posted on a dedicated webpage; UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists.

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