15 December 2004
JOURNALISTS' DEATH TOLL HITS DECADE-HIGH: CPJ
Fifty-four journalists have been killed so far this year for doing their job, the highest number in a decade, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The majority of the deaths have occurred in Iraq and the Philippines.
The war in Iraq has claimed the lives of 23 journalists this year, most of them Iraqis caught in the crossfire or killed by insurgents and US soldiers. In the Philippines, where a culture of impunity has infected the justice system, eight journalists have been murdered.
Many of the victims were radio journalists in rural areas who reported on corruption. Since the introduction of democracy in 1986, at least 48 journalists have been killed and no one has been brought to justice, says CPJ.
CPJ considers a journalist to be killed for their work if the person died as a result of a hostile action, such as retaliation for his or her work, or in crossfire while carrying out a dangerous assignment. CPJ does not include journalists killed in accidents, or those who died of health ailments.
For more information, visit: http://www.cpj.org/news/2004/CPJ10dec04na.html#more
In addition to CPJ, other IFEX members monitor the murders of journalists worldwide.
See:
- World Association of Newspapers: http://www.wan-press.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=1
- International Press Institute: http://www.freemedia.at/Death_Watch/d_watch_main.htm
- Reporters Without Borders: http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=113
- International Federation of Journalists: http://www.ifj.org
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