2008 saw many casualties among journalists
|
COMMENTS 
Despite a drop in the number of deaths of media personnel in 2007, data gathered by the International News Safety Institute points to over 100 journalists and support workers killed in the line of duty
More than 100 journalists and support workers died covering the news in 2008, according to data compiled by the International News Safety Institute (INSI).
Iraq remained the deadliest country for media workers in 2008, with a total of 16 deaths, in spite of a sharp decline from 65 in 2007.
INSI counted 109 casualties in 36 countries, the great majority of them murdered apparently because of their work. An additional four deaths are still under investigation. The figure, which was cross-checked with data gathered by the International Federation of Journalists, is down from 172 such deaths in 2007, reflecting an overall drop in violence, the Institute said. This was due largely to a fall in deaths in Iraq, from 65 to 16, the result of a general reduction in violence in that country. A total of 252 news personnel, most of them Iraqi, have died covering the conflict since the US-led invasion of 2003.
The deadliest countries after Iraq were India and Mexico, with 10 each, Thailand (9), the Philippines (8) and Pakistan (7). Five Thais were killed in a tragic car accident on their way to the funeral of a colleague murdered by a terrorist bomber. Accidents claimed 25 lives around the world in the course of the year.
INSI recorded at least 38 kidnappings in 2008, the worst places being Iraq (8), Pakistan (6), Somalia (5), and Afghanistan (4). Eight journalists died in captivity -- six in Iraq, one in Afghanistan and one in Mexico.
Since 1996, the start date for INSI’s ‘Killing The Messenger’ tracker for global media casualties, at least 1,375 news personnel have died trying to gather the news in the 12 years.
“Journalists in far too many countries continue to be targeted for murder because of what they do,” said INSI director Rodney Pinder. “This remains an intolerable situation which must be confronted with determination by the international community. Without a free press, corruption and crime thrive, undermining political and economic development for millions.
“We call on all nations, in war and peace, to observe in letter and in spirit UN Security Council Resolution 1738 of 2006 on the safety of journalists and on ending impunity for those who kill them,” he added.
As a safety organisation, INSI records the cause of death, whether deliberate, accidental or health-related, of all news media staff and freelancers while on a news assignment or as a result of a news organisation being attacked because of its work.
Source: www.reuters.com, January 8, 2009
www.newssafety.com, January 6, 2009