IFJ calls on UN to adopt convention on protection of journalists
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Dec 31 (KUNA) -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in its report for 2018 released Monday, said armed conflict and militant extremism account for most journalists' killings in countries like Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen, while there was a steep drop in violence against journalists in Iraq last year since armed groups lost ground in the country.
But there were other factors such as the increasing intolerance to independent reporting, populism, rampant corruption and crime as well as the breakdown of law and order afflicting countries like India, Pakistan and the Philippines, it noted.
This year's list shows that 84 journalists, cameramen, fixers and technicians died in targeted killings, bomb attacks and cross fire incidents. Ten other media staff members who worked as drivers, protection officers and a sales assistant also lost their lives. There are six women among the 94 victims. There were also three work-related accidental deaths.
IFJ President Philippe Leruth said "once again, the IFJ is asking United Nations' Member States to adopt at their general Assembly the Convention on the security and protection of journalists which the IFJ presented to diplomatic missions at the UN in New York last October." On his part, IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said "the numbers on this list are a sad reminder that the safety of journalists will remain elusive as long as countries boasting institutions which should be enforcing the law but have been paralysed by corruption and incompetence." According to IFJ records for 2018, the Asia Pacific has the highest killing tally with 32, followed by the Americas on 27 killings, the Middle East and the Arab World recording 20. Africa comes fourth with eleven killings before Europe on four.
As of 31 December 2018, the IFJ has recorded the following cases of killings: Targeted, bomb attacks and cross-fire killings: 94 Accidents and Natural Disasters Related Deaths: 3 Total Number of Deaths: 97 Countries with the highest numbers of media killings are: Afghanistan:16, Mexico:11, Yemen:9 Syria:8, India:7, Pakistan:5, Somalia:5, USA:5, Philippines:3, Ecuador:3, Brazil:3, Colombia:2 Palestine:2 and Guatemala:2.
The Brussels-based IFJ represents around 600,000 journalists in 146 countries worldwide. (end) nk.tg
MENAFN0201201900710000ID1097913897
.jpg)
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.