Fifty journalists killed worldwide in 2020, most in peaceful countries - RSF

Fifty journalists were killed around the world while on the line of duty in 2020, according to a report published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Tuesday (December 29).

The figure remains almost unchanged when compared to 2019's 53 deaths, which puts the total number of recorded killings in the last 10 years at 937.

"Sixty-eight percent of these journalists were killed in countries that were not at war. It's a worrying trend that we noticed in the previous years," noted RSF spokeswoman Pauline Mevel.

"It shows that journalists are not collateral victims of the war but they are targeted because they investigate, because they disturb some governments," she added

Mexico remains the most dangerous country for journalists, with eight of them killed there in 2020. Iraq (with six deaths), Afghanistan (five), Pakistan (four) and India (four as well) follow.

Another new trend is that journalists are increasingly killed while covering protests, she said.

"Seven journalists died in 2020 for covering protests," said Mevel. "It is extremely problematic because more and more journalists are attacked during protests. They are wounded and sometimes killed."

 

 

 

REUTERS