At least fifty journalists, similar number to the previous year, have been killed globally whose murders were said to be in connection with their work from 1 January to 15 December 2020, according to RSF’s annual round-up.
READ RSF’s REPORT: RSF’s 2020 Round-up: 50 journalists killed, two-thirds in countries “at peace”
The number of journalists killed in countries at war continues to fall while more are being assassinated in states not at war, said the report.
“More journalists are being killed in countries considered to be ‘at peace.’ In 2016, 58% of media fatalities took place in war zones. Now only 32% of the fatalities are in war-torn countries such as Syria or Yemen or in countries with low or medium-intensity conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq.”
The majority of murders were described “deliberate” by RSF—the journalists who investigated topics on corruption, organized crime or environmental degradation.
In connection with work in 2020, a total of 84% of journalists were deliberately murdered, as compared to 63% in last year.
At least six journalists and media workers have been killed in Afghanistan since November 07, either in sticky bombings or targeted killings but often unclaimed.
The attacks have prompted people’s outcry who accuse government of failing to protect its citizens.
(With Inputs from Media)
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