The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, the World Editors Forum and the International Association of Sports Newspapers have called on the Angolan government to better protect journalists following the January 8 murder of a sports journalist in an attack on the Togolese national football team's bus.

"It is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence," the global organisations said in a letter to Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

Togolese sports journalist Stanislas Ocloo, who worked for Television Togolaise, was killed during an attack on the Togolese national football team's bus as it crossed into Angola on its way to the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. At least one other person was killed and several were injured when gunmen opened fire on the bus. Two separatist groups have claimed responsibility for the attacks.

WAN-IFRA, the global organisation of the world's newspapers and news publishers, represents 18,000 newspapers, 15,000 online sites and 3,000 companies in 120 countries. The IASN is the international organisation for the world's leading newspapers dedicated to sport, which defends and promotes the interests and freedom of the sports press. The WEF is the organisation within WAN-IFRA for Editors-in-chief and other senior newsroom personnel.

The letter to President dos Santos said:

"We are writing on behalf of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, the World Editors Forum and the International Association of Sports Newspapers, which represent 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries, to express our grave concern at the murder of Togolese sports journalist Stanislas Ocloo.

"According to reports, on 8 January Mr Ocloo, who worked for the national broadcaster Television Togolaise and the Togolese football association, was killed during an attack on the Togo national football team's bus in the northwestern enclave of Cabinda. At least one other person died and several were injured when gunmen opened fire on the bus shortly after it crossed into Cabinda from neighbouring Republic of Congo. On 11 January, two men were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack, responsibility for which has been claimed by two separatist groups.

"We respectfully remind you that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence.

"We respectfully call on you to ensure that a thorough investigation into the attack is carried out and that all possible steps are taken to ensure the safety of journalists covering the Africa Cup of Nations."

More WAN-IFRA press freedom protests can be found www.wan-press.org/pfreedom/rubrique....

Learn more about WAN-IFRA at www.wan-ifra.org or through the WAN-IFRA Magazine. More information about the IASN can be found at www.press-iasn.org.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, WAN-IFRA, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: larry.kilman@wan-ifra.org.