The United Nations culture organisation UNESCO on Tuesday condemned journalist Sudip Dutta Bhaumik's slaying last week in north-eastern India, calling it "the ultimate form of censorship" and urging his killer to be brought to justice.
“Journalists make a fundamental contribution to society by providing information which nurtures enlightened public debate," said UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay.
"The assassination of journalists is the ultimate form of censorship. The prosecution of such crimes is essential to deter attacks against the media,” she said.
Bhaumik was a senior reporter for Bengali-language daily Syandan Patrika and local television Venguard.
He was shot dead on 21 November near Agartala, capital of the state of Tripura by one of the bodyguards of an army officer he was scheduled to meet.
Bhaumik's killing - the second murder of a journalist in Tripura in the past two months - caused a furore in the state and has raised concerns over the freedom of the press.
