(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Dec 30 (KUNA) -- Ninety-three journalists and media professionals were murdered in 2016 in work-related incidents, according to new statistics published Friday by Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
In addition to the 93 targeted killings, 20 Brazilian sports reporters perished in a plane crash over the city of Medellin in Colombia and 9 Russian journalists were killed in a military plane crash.
The figures for 2016 are down from 112 in 2015, with decreases in killings in a number of countries, according to a statement by the IFJ which represents 600,000 members in 140 countries.
"Any decrease in violence against journalists and media staff is always welcome but these statistics and the continued deliberate targeting of media workers in many incidents causing loss of life give little room for comfort nor ground for hope to see the end of the current media safety crisis," said IFJ President Philippe Leruth.
According to IFJ records, the Arab World and Middle East has the highest killing tally with 31, followed by Asia Pacific with 28 killings, Latin America with 24, Africa 8 and Europe with 3 killings.
Countries with the highest numbers of media killings are: Iraq - 15, Afghanistan - 13, Mexico - 11, Yemen - eight, Guatemala - six, Syria - six, India - five, Pakistan - five, and Libya - two. (end) nk.gb
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