The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported that 2006 was a year of tragedy for the world’s media as killings of reporters and media staff reached historic levels with at least 155 murders, assassinations and unexplained deaths. A further 22 journalists died accidentally while on duty. The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM), which took note of the worrying number of killings, is the Maltese affiliate of the IFJ.
Although no such killings have been reported in Malta, the residences of journalists Daphne Caruana Galizia and Saviour Balzan were targeted by arsonists 10 days within each other in May 2006. Fortunately nobody was injured in the incidents.
“Media have become more powerful and journalism has become more dangerous,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “2006 was the worst year on record – a year of targeting, brutality and continued impunity in the killing of journalists.”
During the year the numbers began to accumulate with civil strife and resistance to military occupation in Iraq. The IFJ says media became prime targets of terror attacks or victims of poor soldiering. By the year’s end, 68 media staff had been killed, bringing to 170 the number killed in the country since the invasion in April 2003.
Elsewhere, the IFJ says continuing violence in Latin America, particularly Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, claimed the lives of 37 media staff while in Asia relentless attacks in the Philippines and Sri Lanka pushed the total of killings to 34.
The only positive sign came in the final days of the year, said the IFJ, when the United Nations, for the first time ever, issued a statement condemning targeting of journalists and calling for prosecution of the killers of media staff.
In a resolution passed on the 23rd of December, the UN Security Council unanimously called on governments to respect international law and to protect civilians in armed conflict. The Council called for an end to impunity and for prosecution of the killers of journalists and agreed to prepare annual reports on the risks facing media.
“This was the only bright spot in a year of unremitting gloom,” said Mr. White, adding that “For the first time the United Nations has put the focus on a deepening media crisis. It is long overdue. We want to see action against countries that allow impunity in the killing of journalists.”
For more detailed information about Malta in 2006 see MaltaMedia's end of year round-up 2006: A Year in Review.
© Copyright 2006 - MaltaMedia Online Network
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