Journalism body notes net drop in media deaths

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) noted Friday "with satisfaction" a decrease in the number of journalists killed so far in the year compared with the same period last year.

On Press Freedom Day, May 3, the Geneva-based PEC said there was close to a 56-percent decrease registering 20 victims in 12 countries and regions from Jan. 1 to April 30 against 46 during the same period last year, using the same yardstick.

PEC said it was the lowest casualty figure since 2006.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen lauded this decrease and said it be hopeful if the decline continued this year.

"The lower intensity of conflict in Syria and Iraq contributed to this decrease. In addition, the continuous engagement of governments, associations and civil society in favor of the issue of the safety of journalists has certainly produced positive effects," said Lempen.

According to him, six journalists were killed in Mexico and four in Afghanistan "which adds up to half of the victims since the beginning of the year".

PEC said stronger measures need to be taken in both countries to protect media workers better and to combat impunity.

One journalist was killed in each of the following countries -- Ghana, Honduras, India, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Kenya, Libya, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Yemen.