adminGENEVA. — The year 2014 has become the second deadliest year for journalists over 10 years with at least 138 journalists killed by the end of last year, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) said yesterday in its updated annual report.The annual report, which was first published on December 15, documented 128 journalists killed at that time. However, PEC added four more journalists (1 in Honduras, 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in Brazil and 1 in the DRC) have been killed in two weeks since December 15.
In addition, the Geneva-based NGO reviewed its list of journalists killed in Syria, noting the murder of six journalists was missed in the original report.
“We have 19 journalists killed in Syria in 2014 and no more 13 as previously reported. Syria is the number one deadliest country as in 2013 and 2012”, PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said.
In the final report, Syria topped the list with 19 journalists killed, followed by Gaza (16), Pakistan (12), Iraq (10), Ukraine (nine).
By region, Middle East was the most violent, with 52 journalists killed, followed by Asia with 32, Latin America with 29, Sub-Saharan Africa with 15 and Europe with 10.
In 2013, 129 journalists were killed. During the past five years (2010 to 2014), the figure stands at a total of 624 journalists killed, which is an average of 125 annually, or 2.4 per week.
PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, while horrified at the growing numbers, said that the international community is watching the crimes without heading to the core problem which is an instrument for protection.
Founded in June 2004, PEC aimed at strengthening the legal protection and safety of journalists in zones of conflict and civil unrest or in dangerous missions. — Xinhua.
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