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BBC producer's death was unlawful BBC must learn from Africa death
(40 minutes later)
An inquest into the death of a BBC producer shot outside a hotel while on assignment in Somalia has found she was unlawfully killed.An inquest into the death of a BBC producer shot outside a hotel while on assignment in Somalia has found she was unlawfully killed.
Kate Peyton, 39, of Beyton, Suffolk, was shot in Mogadishu in February 2005.Kate Peyton, 39, of Beyton, Suffolk, was shot in Mogadishu in February 2005.
At the inquest held at Ipswich Crown Court, Greater Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean said he would be writing to the BBC on the matter. At the inquest held at Ipswich Crown Court, Greater Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean said journalists should not feel pressured into taking dangerous jobs.
Ms Peyton family said they hoped the lessons learned from the inquest would improve safety for all journalists.Ms Peyton family said they hoped the lessons learned from the inquest would improve safety for all journalists.
The coroner urged the BBC to ensure that staff whose contracts were under review should not feel pressure to travel to dangerous areas. Dr Dean, who said he would be writing to the BBC on the matter, added there were lessons to be learned from the death of Ms Peyton, who was shot in the back on the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, in February 2005.
'Job on the line''Job on the line'
Dr Dean said there were lessons to be learned from the death of Ms Peyton, who was shot in the back on the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, in February 2005.
He said managers had to recognise that staff had an overriding right to turn down dangerous jobs, regardless of any fears they might have for their future employment.He said managers had to recognise that staff had an overriding right to turn down dangerous jobs, regardless of any fears they might have for their future employment.
Dr Dean said his observations did not imply that the BBC was liable.Dr Dean said his observations did not imply that the BBC was liable.
He praised the BBC's risk assessment procedures as "good" and "careful" but said he hoped that evidence aired at the inquest would help prevent future tragedies.He praised the BBC's risk assessment procedures as "good" and "careful" but said he hoped that evidence aired at the inquest would help prevent future tragedies.
We are gratified that the coroner has been able to offer some advice as to how the BBC might improve its treatment of journalists Peyton family statementWe are gratified that the coroner has been able to offer some advice as to how the BBC might improve its treatment of journalists Peyton family statement
"It is clear on the evidence we have heard that Kate didn't want to go to Mogadishu," said Dr Dean."It is clear on the evidence we have heard that Kate didn't want to go to Mogadishu," said Dr Dean.
"What is also abundantly clear is that she only took the assignment because she felt if she didn't take the assignment, the chances of getting that contract renewed would be damaged and she needed that contract for personal reasons."What is also abundantly clear is that she only took the assignment because she felt if she didn't take the assignment, the chances of getting that contract renewed would be damaged and she needed that contract for personal reasons.
"She felt that her job would be on the line if she didn't take it. That's not necessarily what would have happened. We shall never know.""She felt that her job would be on the line if she didn't take it. That's not necessarily what would have happened. We shall never know."
After the inquest, the Peyton family said in a statement: "We are gratified that after nearly four years, the coroner has been able to offer some advice as to how the BBC might improve its treatment of journalists asked to undertake dangerous assignments."After the inquest, the Peyton family said in a statement: "We are gratified that after nearly four years, the coroner has been able to offer some advice as to how the BBC might improve its treatment of journalists asked to undertake dangerous assignments."
Ms Peyton, who was based in Johannesburg, South Africa, had travelled to the war-ravaged country with freelance reporter Peter Greste because the BBC felt that the story of Somalia's development was "important".Ms Peyton, who was based in Johannesburg, South Africa, had travelled to the war-ravaged country with freelance reporter Peter Greste because the BBC felt that the story of Somalia's development was "important".
BBC safety advisors had classed Somalia as a "category one hostile environment" and accepted the need for journalists to travel with local armed soldiers.BBC safety advisors had classed Somalia as a "category one hostile environment" and accepted the need for journalists to travel with local armed soldiers.
The inquest heard that minders were not warned Ms Peyton and other journalists were leaving the hotel.The inquest heard that minders were not warned Ms Peyton and other journalists were leaving the hotel.