National Press Club expresses outrage at slaying of Japanese journalist

The National Press Club deplored the slaying of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto and said the perpetrators must be brought to justice after Japanese authorities said Feb. 1 they believe a video depicting Islamic State militants killing Goto is authentic.

Goto, who had been held hostage before his death, was a highly-regarded journalist known for compassionately recording the difficulties children and other civilians faced in war zones.

"The wanton taking of any human life is disgusting," National Press Club President John Hughes said. "The murder of such a talented, dedicated reporter is particularly deplorable because the world loses a unique perspective on the human consequences of conflicts."

Hughes called on international leaders to do all they can to hold Goto's killers accountable and to make every effort to protect journalists, particularly those in conflict zones.

News reports indicate that Goto traveled to Syria in October to try to secure the release of Haruna Yukawa, who had been taken hostage months earlier and also reportedly was recently killed.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Syria has been the world's most dangerous country for reporters for more than three years, with at least 80 journalists killed.