Global Arab Network | International Federation of Journalists: 137 journalists killed last year

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International Federation of Journalists: 137 journalists killed last year

- Ahmed Gamal

Friday, 01 January 2010 21:01

137 journalists and media personnel were killed during 2009 against 109 killings recorded in 2008.

The number of targeted killings at 113 is one of the highest ever recorded the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) announced. The deaths of 24 other journalists were accidental.

In a year that ended with a rush of media killings, the Philippines, Mexico and Somalia are designated the most dangerous countries for journalists.
"Last year's drop in the murder rate of journalists has been short lived," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President.

"The devastating massacre of 31 journalists and media staff in the Philippines in November and fresh violence against colleagues in Mexico and Somalia have made this a year of terrible bloodshed for media," he said.

In Iraq which has been for most of the decade the most dangerous country for journalists media deaths are down to five killings in 2009 against 16 in 2008 as the country's political crisis has eased.

But the shocking statistics of the year are found in the Philippines where 38 journalists and media staff were killed in 2009 - most of them victims of a massacre in the Maguindano province on 23 November which claimed 31 media casualties.

"The question is whether governments are listening or ready to take their responsibilities seriously," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.
"There is no room for complacency and indifference. The crisis facing media threatens innocent lives and democracy itself;" he noted.

Other countries with high numbers of media fatalities are: Mexico 13, Somalia 9, Pakistan 7 and Russia 6.

The International Federation of Journalists is the world's largest organisation of journalists. First established in 1926, it was relaunched in 1946 and again, in its present form, in 1952. Today the Federation represents around 600.000 members in more than 100 countries.

The IFJ promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists.

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