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"This figure of 45 is one of the heaviest accounts since the IFJ began publishing annual reports on journalists killed in work-related incidents, including targeted killings, crossfire deaths and bombings," said the federation which has 600,000 members in 140 countries.
Since 1991, 2,721 journalists have been murdered around the world.
"The risks associated with armed conflict have decreased in recent years due to the limited exposure of media workers, as fewer and fewer are covering" events in war zones, the IFJ explained. "At the same time, threats linked to criminal gangs and drug cartels, from the slums of Mexico to the streets of European cities in Greece and the Netherlands, continue to grow and explain the many targeted killings," it added."
By region, in the outgoing year, the Asia-Pacific region topped the gruesome list, with 20 murders. It is followed by the Americas (10), Africa (8), Europe (6) and the Middle East and Arab World (only one). Added to these 45 murders is the accidental death of two journalists in Iran.
While the decline seen in 2021 is "good news," it is little consolation for the violence that continues to claim the lives of journalists in countries such as Afghanistan (9), Mexico (8), India (4) and Pakistan (3), the IFJ estimates. Journalists and media workers are often targeted for reporting corruption, crime and abuse of power in their communities, cities and countries, it said.
IFJ called for a "new UN convention to protect journalists."
Source: Cyprus Times
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