By Jon Slattery
2005 was the deadliest year for a decade with at least 63
journalists killed while doing their job or for expressing their
opinions, according to press freedom group Reporters Without Borders.
This is the highest annual death toll recorded by RWB since 1995,
when 64 journalists were killed. Five media assistants – drivers,
translators and security staff – were also killed.
For the third year running, Iraq was the world’s most dangerous country for the media, with 24 deaths.
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Seventy-six journalists and media assistants have been killed in Iraq since the invasion in March 2003.
Although
terrorist strikes and Iraqi guerrilla attacks were the main cause of
deaths, according to RWB the US army was responsible for three killings.
More
than 1,300 physical attacks and threats against journalists were
recorded by RWB during the year. RWB identifies China as having the
most journalists in jail, 32, followed by Cuba with 24, Ethiopia 17 and
Eriteria 13.
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Cases of censorship were up by more than half with 1,006 cases recorded, compared with 622 in 2004.
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