Roll call of loss and tragedy continues, says IFJ report

Report - International

15 February 2011

Roll call of loss and tragedy continues, says IFJ report of media staff
killed in 2010

SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists

(IFJ/IFEX) - February 11, 2011 - The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) today published the full report of journalists and
media staff killed during 2010, saying that 94 media fatalities last
year demonstrate the increasing risks facing journalists around the
globe. The report also includes three cases of journalists who lost
their lives in accidents.

"It is a poignant roll call of tragedy and loss recording the deaths of
2,271 colleagues since 1990, including 97 who died in 2010," said Aidan
White, IFJ General Secretary, in his introduction to the report. "These
figures illustrate how in an age when media are more powerful and when
people have ever expanding access to different sources of information,
journalists determined to tell the truth face increasing risks."

The IFJ report shows that Pakistan had the worst record in media safety
with 16 dead, ahead of Mexico and Honduras, which recorded ten killings
each. There was a decrease in the number of killings compared to a total
of 139 in 2009 but the report notes that high levels of violence
remained the major threat to safety of media.

"Regional conflicts, drug wars and political unrest continue to create
killing fields for journalists and people who work with them," said
White. "This year 94 journalists and media staff killed were victims of
targeted killings, bomb attacks and cross fire incidents."

The prevailing impunity for crimes against journalists in many regions
is also highlighted in the report as another source of violence against
media. Governments need to take attacks on the press seriously and take
credible action in order to provide a deterrence against these crimes,
says the report.

The report includes a detailed account of the IFJ International Safety
Fund which provides assistance to journalists and their families who
have been victims of violence or were forced into exile.

"This money, from the pockets and purses of colleagues, represents the
best of solidarity in our movement," added White.

ENDS

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