At least 68 journalists worldwide were killed for their work in 2009, the highest yearly tally ever documented by CPJ.
(CPJ/IFEX) – New York, December 17, 2009 – At least 68 journalists worldwide were killed for their work in 2009, the highest yearly tally ever documented by the Committee to Protect Journalists, the organization said in a new analysis. The record toll was driven in large part by the election-related killings of more than 30 media workers in the Philippine province of Maguindanao, the deadliest event for the press in CPJ history.
The worldwide tally surpasses the previous record of 67 deaths, recorded in 2007 when violence in Iraq was pervasive. In its worldwide analysis, CPJ also found notable shifts in the risks in combat zones. Deaths in Iraq continued a significant downward trend: Four Iraqi journalists were killed during the year, the lowest annual tally since the war began. But violence soared in Somalia, where nine local journalists were murdered or killed in combat situations.
