Freelance journalist James Foley was brutally killed yesterday after being held for 21 months by Islamic militants in Syria . Despite the increasing dangers of working in the region , despite the many journalists who have been kidnapped or are still missing , and despite dreading this news , it has taken us all by surprise and we are deeply , deeply shocked . Freelance journalists , photographers and video journalists have always played a vital role in newsgathering , and their contribution today is more important than ever . They make a crucial contribution to the free flow of information that is an essential part of a democratic society and fully deserve our support and protection . Our Trust works with freelancers on a daily basis -- helping them , helping their families , and sometimes working with them to help other freelancers . And James was one of these . We worked with him , helping him financially as he and his colleagues searched for missing colleagues in Syria . We stayed in touch . James ' kidnap and death is yet another tragic reminder of the very real dangers facing journalists today . Over the past two years , around 70 journalists have been killed covering the conflict in Syria , and a further 20 journalists currently remain missing , including freelancer Austin Tice . The Committee to Protect Journalists say that the last two years have been the most dangerous for journalists on record , with 174 confirmed deaths since 2012 . Not only this , but threats , intimidation , assaults and kidnappings are becoming every day challenges for journalists working around the world . Reuters columnist David Rohde writes : `` Syria today is the scene of the single largest wave of kidnappings in modern journalism , more than in Iraq during the 2000s or Lebanon during the 1980s . '' These are terrible facts . So , what of the freelancers ? Who negotiates for them ? Who sends in security consultants to try and get them out ? Who helps their families ? Freelance journalists like James often work alone without the resources and support of large news organizations behind them -- they are always the most vulnerable to these dangers . The Rory Peck Trust has been supporting and assisting freelancers for almost two decades , and we 've never seen a demand for our assistance like this before . It 's not just freelancers travelling to conflict zones who are at risk . The majority of newsgatherers killed each year are journalists working in their own countries . Freelance photographers , fixers and camera operators covering and reporting on conflicts that are affecting their own communities are often the most vulnerable . They 're unable to leave areas when it becomes too dangerous , or when their reporting is exposed , and are frequently threatened , attacked and accused of being traitors for working with international news organizations . Beheading of American journalist James Foley recalls past horrors . So , how to protect freelancers ? How to help them work securely ? Our organization gives financial and other practical support to freelancers in trouble . We offer online resources on safety & security for those reporting from dangerous environments , and run a Training Fund that provides bursaries for freelancers to enable them to undergo hostile environments training before travelling to a conflict zone . This training can teach freelancers how to assess risk and spot danger , handle a crisis , support others and give vital first aid . The right training can save lives . Although our focus is specifically on freelancers , we are only one of the many organizations that exist to support journalists worldwide . Committee to Protect Journalists , Reporters Without Borders and IFJ all have security guides that can help freelancers be more prepared in situations of crisis . The International News Safety Institute offers up-to-date information about the security situation on the ground for journalists , and RISC offers vital first-aid training . There 's no question that conflict journalism has always been a dangerous occupation -- and how very wrong that is ! So when we talk about protection , when we talk about security , we are talking about every sector of the news industry , whether news employers , staff or freelancers . In this brutal new world , everyone must be prepared to take responsibility -- for themselves and for others . James Foley was a freelancer in the truest and most honorable sense -- a talented journalist and an exceptional human being . Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time , and with the families of all other journalists currently being held in Syria .
The Rory Peck Trust works with freelance journalists on a daily basis , including James Foley . Comment: Foleys ' death is yet another tragic reminder of the dangers facing journalists today . Freelancers often work alone without the support of large news organizations , she writes . Carr : Majority of newsgatherers killed each year are journalists working in their own countries .