According to an international media watchdog Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), record number of 141 journalists were killed in 29 countries in 2012.
New Delhi, Jan 4/Nationalturk – According to Switzerland based media watchdog Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), record number of 141 journalists were killed in 29 countries in 2012.
Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), which fights for the protection of journalists, said 141 journalists in 29 countries were killed during the course of 2012. “This figure represents a 31 percent increase as compared to the 2011 figures.”
PEC said that 37 journalists, 13 of them working for foreign media, were killed in Syria in 2012. “This figure does not include media activists, pro-opposition citizens who occasionally inform the world of current developments,” a PEC statement said.
It said four journalists — Ukrainian journalist Anhar Kochneva, Jordanian-Palestinian correspondent Bashar Fahmi, freelance U.S. reporter Austin Tice and another American reporter James Foley — are reported missing or detained.
PEC stated that 19 journalists were killed in Somalia.
“Pakistan comes third in the PEC ranking of most dangerous countries for media work. At least 12 journalists were killed in the country last year,” PEC said.
It said 11 journalists were killed in Mexico, 11 in Brazil and 6 in Honduras. “Never before have so many journalists been killed in Brazil”.
Middle East was severely hit in 2012
According to PEC figures, Philippines ranks number 7 with 6 journalists killed, followed by Bangladesh with death of four media persons.
“Four journalists were also killed in India. 3 journalists each were killed in Eritrea, Iraq, Nigeria and Gaza during the Israeli attacks. Two journalists each were killed in Afghanistan, Bolivia and Colombia”, the PEC said.
It said a journalist each was killed in Bahrain, Cambodia, Ecuador, Egypt, Haiti, Indonesia, Nepal, Uganda, Panama, Russia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Thailand.
According to PEC figures, Middle East was severely hit in 2012 as 45 journalists were killed in the region. “It was followed by Latin America, where 35 journalists were killed. In Asia 32 journalists lost their lives while 28 were killed in Africa”.
According to PEC figures, 571 journalists have been killed since January 2008. “On an average 114 journalists were killed annually, or more than 2 per week”.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
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