36 journalists killed in 2003; 13 in Iraq

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Thirteen journalists were killed last year covering the war in Iraq, the
highest death toll for the media in a single country since 1995, a watchdog
group. In all, 36 journalists were killed world-wide last year, up from 19
in 2002, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. Iraq was the main reason
for the increase. CPJ said it was particularly troubled by the deaths of
four journalists in Iraq killed as a result of US military action. It has
called on the Pentagon for a public accounting. Three of the four were
killed in April, when the buildings they were in came under fire from US
forces; the fourth died in August after being shot by US soldiers. The count
includes only journalists killed as a direct result of their work. The list
does not include six other reporters who died from illness or accidents
while covering the war. The group is also investigating the cases of four
missing journalists, and 12 journalist deaths that may have been
work-related. Conflict in the Middle East also claimed the lives of two
journalists in Israel and the occupied territories. Five journalists were
killed in the Philippines, four in Colombia, two in Brazil, and one each in
Cambodia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Nepal, Pakistan,
Russia and Somalia. The death toll in Iraq was the highest for a single
country since 24 journalists were killed in Algeria eight years ago.

Source:
AP News
Jan 5, 2004