 |
Press Releases
Kate Peyton inquest: BBC statement
|
Following the conclusion of the inquest into the death of BBC journalist Kate Peyton, the BBC tonight (Wednesday) issued the following statement.
"Kate was an experienced and courageous journalist. Her death was a terrible tragedy and our sympathies are with her family.
"The Coroner was clear that Kate knew she had the right to turn down assignments. The BBC will take into account what the coroner has said and safety policy is something which continually develops. The BBC plays a leading role, as a member of International News Safety Institute (INSI) in establishing industry wide safety procedures for journalists.
"The BBC will now reiterate the INSI code we helped develop, and which is our current policy, to all staff. This says that assignments to war and other danger zones are voluntary and that no career should suffer as a result of refusing a dangerous assignment. We have always supported that principle and will continue to do so.
"We take the safety of our staff extremely seriously and we are pleased that our risk assessment and safety procedures, which are industry-wide practice, have been found to be robust. The Coroner has been clear that the risk assessment conducted by the BBC was done carefully and that the organisation has been exemplary in leading the field in safety policy.
"We are deeply grateful on behalf of all our audiences for the bravery and professionalism of journalists from all organisations who choose to travel to dangerous parts of the world in order to bring important stories to the public."
BBC Press Office
|
Printable version
