Increase in media deaths reported

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 1, 2007

---

BRUSSELS - The year 2006 was the deadliest for journalists and media workers worldwide, with at least 155 murders and unexplained deaths, the International Federation of Journalists announced Sunday.

The group, representing more than half a million journalists in more than 100 countries, said in its annual report that Iraq continued to stand out as the most dangerous place to work, with 68 media staff killed, bringing the total since the war began in March 2003 to 170.

"2006 was the worst year on record, a year of targeting, brutality and continued impunity in the killing of journalists," IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said in a statement.

The IFJ also pointed to continuing attacks on journalists in Latin America, where 37 media staff were killed. Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela stood out.

An additional 13 journalists died in the Philippines, pushing the total of deaths in Asia up to 34, the IFJ said.

In addition to those murdered, 22 journalists were killed accidentally while on duty, pushing the year's overall total to 177. In 2005, that number was 154, including 48 Iranian journalists killed in a plane crash.

On Dec. 20, the Committee to Protect Journalists said 84 journalists had died worldwide in 2006. The committee's numbers, unlike the IFJ's, do not include support staff employed by media organizations, such as interpreters and drivers.