Pakistan most dangerous place for media workers: report

IFJ's report "Gunning for Media: Journalists and Media Staff Killed in 2010" says 94 journalists killed this year.

BRUSSELS: At least 94 journalists died in violence this year, the International Federation of Journalists said Friday, adding that Pakistan was the most dangerous place in 2010 for media workers.

"Journalists and media personnel remain prime targets for political extremists, gangsters and terrorists," the Brussels-based organisation said in a report, adding that another three died in accidents over the past 12 months.

The death toll came at the hands of "targeted killings, bomb attacks and crossfire incidents," it said.

In 2009, the total was 139 journalists.

The IFJ said 15 media workers died in Pakistan this year, adding that the majority of the annual fatalities comprised "victims of violence connected to the insurgency war in Pakistan, the drug war in Mexico as well as the political unrest in Honduras."

"Nearly 100 journalists killed is a heavy loss which ought to stir the world governments into action to offer better protection to journalists," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ president.

Two different reports this month have said that Pakistan is the deadliest country for journalists.

The full list is available on the IFJ site at: http://www.ifj.org/assets/docs/205/203/5d21bcd-97a13cb.pdf.