A total of 108 journalists were killed in targeted attacks over the past year while a further 15 died accidentally, according to new figures from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The countries with the highest numbers of deaths were Syria, where 15 journalists lost their lives in targeted attacks, bombings and cross-fire incidents in 2013, the IFJ said.
Then came Iraq, with 13 such deaths, Pakistan, the Philippines and India, each with 10 deaths, Somalia, with seven, and Egypt, with six.
The IFJ also welcomed the new UN international day of action to end impunity on 2 November.
Related
Those killed last year include Sky News cameraman Mick Deane, who was shot and killed whilst covering a protest in Egypt on 14 August last year.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 18 December which: "Condemns unequivocally all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers, such as torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, as well as intimidation and harassment in both conflict and non-conflict situations."
It also states: "impunity for attacks against journalists constitutes the main challenge to the strengthening of the protection of journalists."
IFJ president Jim Boumelha, a member of the National Union of Journalists' executive council, said: "Following the United Nations' resolution establishing November s as an international day to end impunity, we urge countries across the world to take immediate action to protect the safety and freedom of journalists.
"We give our full support to this new initiative which we believe will contribute to fighting impunity across the globe provided that governments are willing to adopt a zero tolerance approach to violence targeting journalists."
IFJ general secretary Beth Costa said: "It is clear that there is no sign of the horrific treatment of journalists abating. The UN day for November 2 is of huge importance in the fight to protect the rights, safety and freedoms of journalists across the globe, including the many women journalists who deal with discrimination and violence on a daily
basis."
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary Michelle Stanistreet, said: "Journalists' unions around the world, including the NUJ in the UK and Ireland, are calling on all governments to end impunity for violence against journalists and media staff.
"It is appalling that so many people have lost their lives while doing their job in 2013."
In 2012 there were 121targeted killings of journalists around the world, according to the IFJ, with a further 30 accidental deaths.
Full list of journalists killed doing their job around the world in 2013 (source IFJ).
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
