Media Release

2006 Most Deadly Year for Journalists Says CJFE

Toronto, December 21, 2006
It is the season to make lists - the best, the worst, the top newsmakers of 2006 - but at Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) our list is a more chilling one. In 2006, our list counts at least 82 journalists killed in the course of doing their work, in addition to dozens of media workers. Hence, 2006 has the terrible distinction of being the most deadly year on record for journalists.

CJFE compiles this list with information gathered from members of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) - a global network with an information hub which is managed by CJFE and based in Toronto.

The war in Iraq has been the greatest factor in this appallingly high number. In 2006 alone, at least 39 journalists lost their lives in Iraq. More than 130 have died since the start of the war; almost every week now, there is an addition to the death toll. Most of those killed were Iraqi journalists, some working for Iraqi news organisations, but many working for international news organisations , bringing news to the world from this fractured region.

Closer to home, Canada's free trade partner, Mexico, has the ignominious distinction of being the most dangerous country to practice journalism in the Americas. Nine journalists were killed there this year; the most recent was Raúl Marcial Pérez, editorial columnist for the regional daily "El Gráfico", who was killed on December 8. There are also four journalists reported missing, and many more who have received death threats. On December 8, CJFE wrote to President Felipe Calderón urging him to take decisive action to ensure the safety of all journalists in Mexico.

Another country reporting an alarming number of journalists killed is the Philippines where at least seven journalists were murdered this year. Like Mexico, the killers of journalists in the Philippines are rarely brought to justice. The most recent murder occurred just yesterday, when Andres Acosta, a radio reporter, was stabbed to death. He had reportedly been receiving death threats. CJFE, which operates a Journalists in Distress Fund, has seen a large increase recently in requests from Filipino journalists for financial assistance allowing them to go into hiding after receiving death threats.

We were happy to report a victory of sorts this year however, when CJFE was part of an international effort to provide legal funds to the family of murdered investigative journalist Marlene Garcia-Esperat for the prosecution of her murderers. The trial, which was moved to Cebu City for the safety of the witnesses, resulted in the October 6 sentencing and conviction of three people for the 2005 murder. Executive Director Anne Game says "We hope this case will send a clear message that those who attack journalists will be brought to justice."

In a year when so many journalists lost their lives, there were other moments of hope for press freedom. In Nepal, the media, facing great persecution and repression following the royal coup on February 1, 2006, played a crucial role in ensuring the restoration of democracy in May.

In the Middle East and North Africa - the most censored region in the world - IFEX has seen an increase in free expression organisations and independent news media challenging government restrictions.

Press freedom is also improving in countries such as Bolivia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Both countries moved into the top 20 of the World Press Freedom Index, developed by Reporters Without Borders.

And we are seeing steps taken towards abolishing criminal defamation laws in Latin America and Asia.

Here in Canada, we welcomed the definitive ruling in October that struck down the secrecy law used to justify the RCMP raid on journalist Juliet O'Neill's home.

The steps forward can seem small and tenuous, but we must recognise them and we must support them. Freedom of expression is far too precious, too fundamental to all our other rights. CJFE will continue to work to defend free expression, and the list of 82 journalists killed in 2006 will be a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant.

CJFE is an association of more than 300 journalists, editors, publishers, producers, students and others who work to promote and defend free expression and press freedom in Canada and around the world. For more information, contact Julie Payne at (416) 515-6922 or send an e-mail.

-30-