Leaders of world media giants on Tuesday urged in Beijing more attention to the safety of journalists whose jobs often put them in danger.

"I am always worried when I have to send reporters to dangerous places, because they may be risking their life to do the job," said Li Congjun, president of the Xinhua News Agency, at the World Media Summit (WMS) Presidium Meeting.

Li said that media organizations should place more importance on the protection of journalists.

Representatives at the meeting suggested media provide more training to journalists so they can better protect themselves.

David A. Schlesinger, chairman of Thomson Reuters (China), asked media around the world to cooperate on safety training for journalists.

Ringo Chan, senior vice president of Turning Broadcasting System, said that they would try to equip reporters with portable interview devices, as a way to reduce their risks of being targeted in dangerous areas.

The meeting, held Tuesday in Beijing, was attended by leaders and senior officials of the Associated Press (AP), the BBC, The New York Times, Itar-Tass, Kyodo News, News Corporation, Thomson-Reuters, Al Jazeera Network, Google and Turner Broadcasting System (TBS).

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