8 July 2005 (RFE/RL) -- In a new report, the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) says 78 journalists and media staffers were killed while on the job worldwide in 2004.
And the IPI says that, so far this year, 40 journalists have died.
In its annual "IPI Death Watch" report, the press freedom watchdog group says the most dangerous country continues to be Iraq -- where 11 journalists and media staffers have died so far this year. It says several Iraqi journalists apparently were murdered merely because they worked for Western or U.S.- funded newspapers or broadcasters.
"The conclusion is that, unfortunately, it seems to be another fatal
year for journalists around the world," Michael Kudlak, the report's author, said. "Last year, we had 78 journalists killed. Now, halfway through the year, we're already at 40. And the impunity that goes along with these killings seems to be continuing. And governments are not doing anything to bring those responsible to justice."
IPI Director Johann Fritz notes many journalists die accidentally while reporting on various conflicts, but that many more are deliberately targeted.
(IPI)
In its annual "IPI Death Watch" report, the press freedom watchdog group says the most dangerous country continues to be Iraq -- where 11 journalists and media staffers have died so far this year. It says several Iraqi journalists apparently were murdered merely because they worked for Western or U.S.- funded newspapers or broadcasters.
"The conclusion is that, unfortunately, it seems to be another fatal
year for journalists around the world," Michael Kudlak, the report's author, said. "Last year, we had 78 journalists killed. Now, halfway through the year, we're already at 40. And the impunity that goes along with these killings seems to be continuing. And governments are not doing anything to bring those responsible to justice."
IPI Director Johann Fritz notes many journalists die accidentally while reporting on various conflicts, but that many more are deliberately targeted.
(IPI)