National Press Club Deplores Islamic State Murders of Journalists

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Oct 14, 2014, 05:55 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Press Club expressed outrage Tuesday at reports that the Islamic State militant group has killed a second journalist, the second in two days.

According to Reporters Without Borders, Mohanad Al-Aqidi, the Sada news agency's Mosul correspondent, was murdered Oct. 13 by several gun shots to the head. Two days before, the Islamic State had publicly beheaded Raad Mohamed Al-Azaoui, a cameraman for Sama Salah Aldeen TV, in Samara.

"It is unacceptable and unspeakable that this group has committed two heinous crimes in the space of a week," said NPC President Myron Belkind. "We are under no illusions that the Islamic State will heed our call for sanity but we urge Iraqi authorities to do what they can to protect journalists."

The National Press Club, founded in 1908, is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. Through its Press Freedom Committee, the club speaks out for transparency and press freedom worldwide.

Contact: John M. Donnelly, NPC Press Freedom Committee Chairman: [email protected]; 202 746 6020

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SOURCE National Press Club