65 journalists and media workers killed in 2017: Reporters Without Borders
Tue Dec 19, 2017
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says 65 journalists and media workers have been killed across the world in 2017.
The France-based media rights group said in its annual report on Tuesday that war-torn Syria remained the world’s most dangerous country for journalists, where 12 reporters lost their lives, followed by Mexico with 11 killed.
According to the report, Mexico was the deadliest country not at war where those who “cover political corruption or organized crime are often systemically targeted, threatened and gunned down.”
The Philippines became the most dangerous country for journalists in Asia with at least five reporters having being shot last year, four of whom succumbed to their injuries. The country had not recorded any murder of journalists the previous year.
RSF said 50 professional reporters were among those killed in 2017, making it the least bloody year in 14 years.
The organization reported that the figure had declined compared to the previous year, saying the downward trend may be because journalists were now being better trained and protected in war zones.
However, it noted that the drop “is also due to journalists abandoning countries that have become too dangerous.”
Of the 65 killed, the group said 39 were murdered, while the rest died in the line of duty, collateral victims of fatal circumstances likes air raids or explosions.(Agencies)
