According to information gathered by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Middle East was the most dangerous region. Sixty-eight reporters were killed in the Middle East, eight reporters were killed in Somalia, seven reporters were killed in Pakistan, six were killed in Sri Lanka, six were killed in Mexico, and five were killed in the Philippines.
“Violence against journalists remained at extremely high levels for the third year in a row,” according to Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. He added: “Our colleagues have been targeted because of their work, or killed covering dangerous stories, often in the rush to cover breaking news.”
37 reporters accidentally died on the job bringing the death toll to at least 171. In 2006, there were 177 deaths worldwide.
Since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country has become the most dangerous place for journalists.
The six deaths in Mexico were attributed by coverage of drug trafficking. In Latin America, journalists ended up dead for reporting on gangs, drug, and corrupt politics. This report was conducted by the IFJ which is based in Belgium and represents journalists from 120 countries.
Most of the killings were the media being targeted for working on national or regional reports. They were killed in their own communities.
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