The Philippines was the second most deadly place for journalists, with seven journalists killed in retaliation for their reporting on crime and corruption. Twenty-five journalists have been gunned down in the Philippines
in the last three years, making it the deadliest non-combat country for journalists.

The 22 journalists killed in Iraq in 2005 compares with 23 killed in 2004 and 15 deaths in the country in 2003.

"Covering war and terrorism continues to be a highly dangerous assignment for journalists, in constant risk of their lives," said Timothy Balding, Chief Executive Officer of the World Association of Newspapers. "Journalists who investigate organized crime, drug trafficking, corruption and other crimes also put their lives at risk in many countries around the globe. In most cases, nobody is brought to justice for their murders."

The 2005 death toll compares with 71 killed in 2004, 53 killed in 2003, 46 killed in 2002, 60 killed in 2001 and 53 killed in 2000. Seventy journalists died in 1999 and 28 in 1998.

Journalists and other media workers were killed in 21 countries in 2005: Azerbaijan (1); Bangladesh (2); Brazil (2); Colombia (1); Democratic Republic of Congo (1); Ecuador (1); Haiti (2); Indonesia (1); Iraq (22); Lebanon (2); Libya (1); Mexico (2); Nepal (1); Pakistan (2); Philippines (7); Russia (2); Serbia & Montenegro (1); Sierra Leone (1); Somalia (2); Sri Lanka (2);  and Thailand (2).

Among those killed in 2005 was Gebran Tueni, 48, publisher of An-Nahar in Lebanon and a Board Member of the World Association of Newspapers for 10 years, who was killed by a car bomb on 12 December. WAN will soon be creating an award in his honour to commemorate courageous journalists.

Details of all the cases can be found on the WAN web site.

Several press freedom organisations track the number of journalists killed each year. The numbers vary based on the criteria used by different associations. WAN’s figures include all media workers killed in the line of
duty or targeted because of their work. It also includes cases where the motive for the killings is unsure or where investigations have not been completed.

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 18,000 newspapers; its membership includes 73 national newspaper associations, newspapers and newspaper executives in 102 countries, 11 news agencies and
nine regional and world-wide press groups.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy
St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49
48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr

Source: World Association of Newspapers