Media deaths increase to 137 in 2009
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called attention to the poor security situation of media workers after 137 journalists were killed in 2009, up from 109 in the previous year. The organisation described 2009 as one of the worst for the targeted killing of journalists.
Of the total death toll, 113 cases were deliberate assassinations. The Phillippines, Mexico and Somalia were the most dangerous countries for media workers in 2009, according to the IFJ. However, the number of killings fell from 16 to five in Iraq, which had seen the highest rate of media casualties in recent years.
Meanwhile, the IFJ also condemned the arrests of at least 12 journalists in Iran last week following clashes between protesters and security forces.
Source: Panos London
