Iraq and Somalia most deadly for journalists in 2007by Jacquie Bowser Brand Republic 07-Feb-08, 15:00
LONDON - Almost 100 journalists and other media workers were killed last year with almost half of those deaths occurring in Iraq, according to a report.
(Iraq: 44 media workers killed in 2007)
Ninety-five journalists and media workers lost their lives in 2007, of whom 44 were killed in Iraq, according to research by the World Association of Newspapers.
Somalia was the second deadliest place for journalists, with eight killed, followed by Sri Lanka, where six died and Pakistan where five media workers died.
Ninety-five journalists and media workers lost their lives in 2007, of whom 44 were killed in Iraq, according to research by the World Association of Newspapers.
Somalia was the second deadliest place for journalists, with eight killed, followed by Sri Lanka, where six died and Pakistan where five media workers died.
The 2007 death toll is the second highest since WAN began tracking annual deaths in 1998. I
n 2006, 110 journalists were killed and prior to this, 58 were killed in 2005, 72 killed in 2004, and 53 in 2003.
Timothy Balding, chief executive officer of WAN, said: "Iraq continues to be the deadliest country in the world for media, and the rising number of journalists killed in all conflicts is a cause for deep concern."
Journalists in many countries are also being targeted and killed for investigating organised crime, drug trafficking, corruption and other crimes.
The 95 deaths in 2007 occurred in 25 countries and territories, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Burma, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United States and Zimbabwe.
Five journalists have already been killed in 2008 in Afghanistan, Brazil, Honduras, Iraq and Nepal, according to WAN.
Paris-based WAN is a global organisation for the newspaper industry, which defends and promotes press freedom worldwide.
Timothy Balding, chief executive officer of WAN, said: "Iraq continues to be the deadliest country in the world for media, and the rising number of journalists killed in all conflicts is a cause for deep concern."
Journalists in many countries are also being targeted and killed for investigating organised crime, drug trafficking, corruption and other crimes.
The 95 deaths in 2007 occurred in 25 countries and territories, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Burma, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United States and Zimbabwe.
Five journalists have already been killed in 2008 in Afghanistan, Brazil, Honduras, Iraq and Nepal, according to WAN.
Paris-based WAN is a global organisation for the newspaper industry, which defends and promotes press freedom worldwide.
