Paris: Europe and the Arabs
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said that at least 68 journalists and media workers have been killed while performing their duties so far this year.
In a report issued yesterday, Thursday, the organization stated that more than 60 percent of those killed were working in countries experiencing conflicts, adding that this is the highest rate in more than ten years.
According to the UNESCO report, out of 42 deaths in countries experiencing conflicts, 18 of these deaths occurred in Palestine, four in Ukraine, four in Colombia, three in each of Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar and Sudan, and one in each of Syria, Chad, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, stressed that reliable information is vital in conflict situations and it is unacceptable for journalists to pay with their lives for their work. Azoulay called on all countries to intensify efforts and ensure the protection of media workers, in accordance with international law.
The report explained that this year, fewer journalists were killed while working outside countries experiencing conflict, with 26 killed. It added that this was the lowest total in sixteen years, noting that this progress may have been achieved - in some countries not affected by conflict - as a result of combating attacks against journalists.