A policy change at BBC News will allow reporters to have armed guards when reporting from aeras of extreme danger.

On Sunday, a freelance cameraman working for the BBC was killed in a drive-by shooting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Security correspondent Frank Gardner was injured and remains in hospital.

However, the new policy would not have made any difference in the Riyadh situation, as it only permits armed guards to accompany reporters in exceptional circumstances such as volatile areas in Iraq.

Reuters quoted a BBC spokesperson as saying: "This shift in policy is not one that has been brought about by the incident in Riyadh. It's a decision that has taken place prior to this incident following lengthy discussions among BBC news management."

Reaction to Sunday's events has been pouring in from other media organisations. Chris Cramer, managing director at CNN International and head of the International News Safety Institute, said that the attack "proves that our profession is in terrible danger from those who prefer to see us dead or injured.

"The profession needs to proceed with the utmost caution and the maximum sharing of information in hostile areas. Our thoughts and prayers are with the BBC and the families of those who were targeted."

Cramer has previously held the position of Head of Newsgathering at the BBC.