28. 11. 2006

WAN: 2006. DEADLIEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR JOURNALISTS

For journalists around the world, 2006 will be remembered as the deadliest year on record, according to the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). One hundred and five journalists were killed worldwide this year, the highest number recorded by WAN since it began monitoring the murders of journalists in 1998. The previous record was 72 deaths recorded in 2004. Between June and November 2006, WAN says 71 journalists were killed around the world. The conflict in Iraq accounted for 23 deaths during the period, the highest of any country. Increasing violence and insecurity have once again made the country the world's most dangerous for media practitioners, says WAN. In the Americas, 17 journalists have been killed since June, five of them in Mexico alone. In Colombia, three journalists were murdered. In Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Philippines proved to be hot spots, with 10 journalists killed since June. Of all the regions, Africa recorded one of the lowest numbers of murdered journalists (5). However, some countries, including Eritrea, are the leading jailers of journalists. Thirteen journalists are being held in secret prisons in Eritrea without access to their families or any legal counsel (see Story #3 on Eritrea). To read WAN's June-November 2006 report, visit: http://www.wan-press.org/article12552.html To read WAN's full-year report, visit: http://www.wan-press.org/rubrique863.html