Ninety-four journalists and media workers killed in 2010, reports IFJ

A report published today by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) claims 94 journalists and media workers were killed during 2010, a decrease from 139 in 2009.

'Gunning for Media' 2010 also records three cases of journalists who lost their lives in accidents, bringing last year's total death toll to 97.

The statistics broken down by region show that Pakistan had the worst record in media safety with 16 journalists and media workers killed, followed by Mexico and Honduras which had 10 killings recorded within each country.

While the figures reflect a decrease on the 2009 report, the IFJ added that "high levels of violence" remain a threat to the safety of media.

"It is a poignant roll call of tragedy and loss recording the deaths of 2,271 colleagues since 1990, including 97 who died in 2010," Aidan White, IFJ general secretary said in his introduction to the report.

"These figures illustrate how in an age when media is more powerful and when people have ever-expanding access to different sources of information, journalists determined to tell the truth face increasing risks."

The press freedom body called on governments to take attacks on the press seriously and "take credible action in order to provide a deterrence against these crimes".

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