As I sift through news reports on the death of Bernama cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, it is becoming clearer that safety measures provided for him and the rest of the team of media workers from Malaysia were insufficient.

According to media articles, Noramfaizul was hit by a stray bullet during a gun fight between African Union peacekeeping force and unidentified gunmen in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.

He was with a group of journalists covering the humanitarian mission to Somalia, organized by the Putra 1Malaysia Club. It is has not been verified if the reporters and cameramen were equipped with safety gears like armored vehicles, bullet-proof vests and helmets.

According to Reporters Without Borders, Somalia is Africa’s deadliest country for media personnel. A total of 23 journalists were killed while on assignment there since 2007.

War-torn and famine-stricken Somalia has not had a functioning government over the last 20 years.

Local media organizations are also clearly aware of the dangers facing journalists in Somalia. A famous Canadian freelance journalist, Amanda Lindhout, was kidnapped on August 23, 2008 and released 15 months later.

Amanda, together with Australian photojournalist Nigel Brennan and their Somali translator Abdifatah Mohammed Elmi, were kidnapped by gunmen as they were traveling to a refugee camp for a news report.

Their kidnappings made headlines and brought together media workers from across the globe to lobby for their release.

Despite the known dangers facing journalists in Somalia, it is shocking to note that the Malaysian team was sent in with inadequate safety precautions.

Therefore, it is imminent that Malaysian media organizations equip their staff with proper training before they are sent to hostile zones for work. This must be done without further delay.

I call upon the Ministry of Information to impose safety protocol requirements to media organizations in order to protect reporters going to hostile environment.

I would like to take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt condolences to Noramfaizul’s wife and family members.

I also wish TV3 reporter Aji Saregar Mazlan a speedy recovery from his injuries.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang.