2,658 journalists and media personnel have been killed globally while carrying out their work in the past 30 years, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The IFJ said that when it started reporting the numbers of deaths in 1990, it was a time “when raising a white flag and writing TV in masking tape on a vehicle might help keep one safe”.buy ivermectin online buy ivermectin generic
“Some believed that this was merely a blip. Sadly this proved not to be.”
Although the numbers have fallen from a peak of 155 in 2006 to 49 in 2019 and 45 in 2020 so far, the IFJ urged the industry there is “no room for complacency”.
IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger said the report’s trends should instead act as an “urgent call to redouble our efforts to mobilize for greater protection of journalists and commitment to the safe practice of journalism”.
The IFJ noted that although the UN security council adopted a resolution in 2006 calling on all governments to protect journalists, the political will is still not there and 1,492 have died in the 14 years since.
Over 50% of the killings took place in ten global hotspots that have suffered war violence, high levels of crime, corruption and a “catastrophic breakdown of law and order”.
In 2020 Mexico topped the list for the fourth time in five years.
The IFJ also noted that at least 235 journalists are currently in prison worldwide, across 34 countries.
Although it is the lowest for killings, Europe has the most journalists in jail (91) – mostly in Turkey (67) and Belarus (11).