We write on behalf of 13 news organisations listed below. Over the past 12 months, we have witnessed the disturbing rise in the kidnapping of journalists while on assignments within the northern provinces of Aleppo, Idlib and al-Raqqa as well as elsewhere in Syria.

By our estimate, more than 30 journalists are now being held. As a result of these kidnappings, a growing number of news organisations no longer feel that it is safe for their reporters and photographers to enter Syria, and many have decided to limit their coverage of the war, unwilling to have they staff members subjected to the increasingly common risk of abduction.

The international news organisations signing this letter are committed to providing the world with fair and in-depth coverage of the war, the activities of rebel-aligned forces, and the suffering of civilians within Stria without fear that they will be victims of kidnappings by criminal gangs or groups associated with rebels.

As long as kidnappings are permitted to continue unabated, journalists will not be willing to undertake assignments inside Syria, and they will no longer be able to serve as witnesses to the events taking place within Syria's borders.

We know as well that Syrian journalists are being kidnapped, making it even more difficult for the world to know what is taking place inside Syria.

We believe it is imperative for the leadership of the armed opposition to commit itself to assuring that journalists can work within Syria, secure from the threat of kidnapping.

Among other things, we ask the leadership to assist in identifying those groups currently holding journalists and take the steps necessary to being about their release.

The deterioration of security within rebel-controlled areas leaves journalists susceptible to future kidnappings. We understand that, as in any war zone, reporters face great risk of injury and death, and we accept those risks, but thew risk of kidnapping is unacceptable, and the leadership is in a position to reduce and eliminate that risk.

We appreciate your attention to this vitally important issue.

Signed,

Phillipe Massonnet, AFP

Kathleen Carroll, AP

David Bradley, Atlantic Media

Jonathan Baker, BBC

John Micklethwait, The Economist

Francisco Bernasconi, Getty Images

Alan Rusbridger, The Guardian

Mark Porubcansky, Los Angeles Times

Dean Baquet, New York Times

Samia Nakhoul, Reuters

Ian Marsden, Daily Telegraph

Gerard Baker, Wall Street Journal

Douglas Jehl, Washington Post