133 media workers killed in 2009: Survey
This year has been one of the worst on record for the deliberate killing of reporters and media staff, an international journalists' association said.
A total of 133 journalists and media personnel were killed in 2009, according to the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists.
It said 109 were singled out because of their profession and 24 died accidentally.
The 109 "targeted killings" was one of the highest ever recorded, said the IFJ. It listed the Philippines, Mexico and Somalia as the most dangerous countries for journalists this year.
The total 2009 death toll of 133 compares with an IFJ tally of 109 and 175 in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
"Last year's drop in the murder rate of journalists has been short-lived," IFJ President Jim Boumelha said in the statement.
"The devastating massacre of 31 journalists and media staff in the Philippines in November and fresh violence against colleagues in Mexico and Somalia have made this a year of terrible bloodshed for media."
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries. Its death tally covers all people employed by media organisations who died in the line of duty, including not only journalists but also interpreters and drivers.
