SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR MEDIA PRACTITIONERS - MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) - The Human Resources Ministry will discuss
with media employers to create guidelines to ensure safety of journalists
accompanying humanitarian aid missions abroad.

Minister Dr S. Subramaniam said the guidelines were to prevent media
practitioners from becoming victims when covering events in high risk areas.

"Among aspects to be taken into account are the location, training needed
and accuracy of information given to journalists before covering events.

"This is to ensure that employers provide the necessary equipment to
safeguard the health and safety of journalists," he said after handing over
RM1,500 (US$503) funeral expenses by Social Security Organisation (Socso) to
heirs of Bernama TV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor at the family home here
Wednesday.





Since pressmen were constantly put at risk, he said the guidelines were to
ensure that journalists took all safety measures to avoid the unfortunate
incident that befell Noramfaizul.

"We want them to carry out duties in a safe condition because we want
journalists to write and deliver news, not become part of the news," he said.

Noramfaizul, 39, died when hit by a sniper shot during Putera 1Malaysia Club
humanitarian aid mission to help the people of famine struck Somalia.

He leaves a widow, Norazrina Jaafar, 37, and two children, Mohd Irfan, 8,
and Mohd Aris, 3.

Under Workers Social Security Act 1969, Noramfaizul's heirs are entitled to
monthly pension of RM2,000 until the children reach 21 years or until graduation
with first degree.

Dr Subramaniam said this was because Noramfaizul was covered by Socso's
Disaster Insurance Scheme.