A total of 132 journalists and media support staff died worldwide covering the news in 2009, RIA Novosti reported citing an international media safety organization.
The International News Safety Institute (INSI) said in a press release on 5 January that “despite repeated international calls for action to constrain the bloodshed” last year has brought “one of the worst yearly tolls on record.”
“Journalists continue to die because they dare to shine a light on the darkest corners of societies,” the document quoted INSI Director Rodney Pinder as saying. “This is the shocking price we pay for our news,” Pinder said.
According to the INSI, at least 98 media workers who died last year were targeted and murdered because of their work, while 11 were killed in crossfire and 23 died in accidents with no apparent links to their professional duties.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
