Paris, November 24 (No.2000-127)- UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today condemned the killing of Carlos Cardoso, one of Mozambique’s best known journalists who was shot dead on November 22 in the centre of Maputo.

Mr Cardoso, the editor of the independent newsletter Metical, was shot on Wednesday afternoon near his office. His killers’ identities are not known, Mr Cardoso had many powerful enemies because of Metical’s investigations of illegal trade and corruption.

The Director-General declared: “I am deeply shocked by the murder of Carlos Cardoso. A man who was seeking the truth has been silenced. This tragic event clearly confirms the crucial role of the media in support of democracy and rule of law, both of which depend largely on the ability of journalists to inform the public. The perpetrators of such a heinous crime must not remain unpunished. Journalists must be allowed to exercise their profession without fearing for their lives. I reiterate UNESCO’s commitment to the freedom and independence of the media.”

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