At least 46 journalists killed in 2011: rights group

At least 46 journalists were killed across the globe in 2011 and Pakistan continues to be the most deadly country for the second year in running, a rights group has said.

Pakistan reported seven deaths followed by five each in Iraq and Libya. While attacks have continued in Iraq despite the US withdrawal, Libya witnessed intense fighting following a revolt against strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

The figures were brought out by New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.

"Seventeen journalists died while on dangerous assignments, many of them while covering the chaotic and violent confrontations between authorities and protesters during the uprisings that swept the Arab world," the report said.

The group also reported an increase in the deaths of Internet journalists, who "rarely appeared on CPJ's death toll before 2008." CPJ said it was still investigating another 35 deaths in 2011 that may have been work-related.