RSF: 50 Journalists Killed In 2020

By Staff, Agencies

Fifty journalists and media workers were killed in connection with their work in 2020, the majority in countries that are not at war, Reporters Without Borders [RSF] said Tuesday.

The figure shows an increase in the targeting of reporters investigating organized crime, corruption or environmental issues, the watchdog said.

It highlighted murders in Mexico, India and Pakistan.

Eighty-four percent of those killed this year were "deliberately targeted" for their work, RSF said in its annual report, compared to 63 percent in 2019.

Mexico was the deadliest country, with eight killed. "Links between drug traffickers and politicians remain, and journalists who dare to cover these or related issues continue to be the targets of barbaric murders," said the report.

Five journalists were killed in war-torn Afghanistan, it said, noting an increase in targeted attacks on media workers in recent months even as ‘peace’ talks between the government and Taliban are ongoing.

The total number of journalists killed in 2020 was lower than the 53 reported in 2019, although RSF said fewer journalists worked in the field this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It also listed 387 jailed journalists, which it called "a historically high number."

Fourteen of those had been arrested in connection with their coverage of the coronavirus crisis, it said.