67 journalists, media workers killed on the job this year, says international organisation
Brussels (AP): Russia's war in Ukraine, chaos in Haiti and rising violence by criminal groups in Mexico contributed to a sharp spike in the number of journalists killed doing their work in 2022, according to a new report released on Friday.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) says that 67 journalists and media staff have been killed around the world so far this year, up from 47 last year.
The Brussels-based group also tallied 375 journalists currently imprisoned for their work, with the highest figures in China including Hong Kong, in Myanmar and in Turkey. Last year's report listed 365 journalists behind bars.
With the number of media workers killed on the rise, the IFJ and other media rights groups have called on governments to take more concrete action to protect journalists and free journalism.
"The failure to act will only embolden those who seek to suppress the free flow of information and undermine the ability of people to hold their leaders to account, including in ensuring that those with power and influence do not stand in the way of open and inclusive societies," IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said in a statement.
More media workers were killed covering the war in Ukraine 12 in total than in any other country this year, according to the IFJ. Most were Ukrainian but also included those of other nationalities such as American documentary filmmaker Brent Renaud.
Many deaths occurred in the first chaotic weeks of the war, though threats to journalists continue as the fighting drags on.
The IFJ said "the rule by terror of criminal organisations in Mexico, and the breakdown of law and order in Haiti, have also contributed to the surge in killings." 2022 has been one of the deadliest ever for journalists in Mexico, which is now considered the most dangerous country for reporters outside a war zone.
The group recorded five deaths of journalists amid this year's political crisis in Pakistan, and warned of new threats to journalists in Colombia and continued danger for journalists in the Philippines despite new leadership there.
It also called out the shooting of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh as she was reporting from a Palestinian refugee camp. The Arab network this week formally asked the International Criminal Court to investigate her death.
The Brussels-based IFJ represents 600,000 media professionals from trade unions and associations in more than 140 countries. The report was released on the eve of the United Nations' Human Rights Day.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
MP: Defected Indore Cong candidate was slapped with attempt to murder charge 5 days ago
Indore, Apr 29: Barely five days before he decided to withdraw his nomination from Indore Lok Sabha seat on Monday, an attempt to murder charge was added in a 17-year-old land grabbing case against Congress candidate Akshay Bam on directions from a local court here.
The alleged victim, Yunus Patel, decided to approach a first class magistrate on April 5 this year with an application requesting for adding section 307 (attempt to murder) which was accepted by Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) on April 24.
The court had directed Madhya Pradesh police to add this section against Bam, his father Kantilal Bam and others.
The case was registered on October 4, 2007 against Bam and others for assaulting Patel over a land dispute under sections 294 (use of obscene words, abusive language), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
However, in his application filed on April 5 in the court here, Patel alleged one Satveer Singh, who operated a security agency, fired at him from a .12 bore gun on the behest of Kantilal.
The court accepted the plea on April 24 and directed the police to add the attempt to murder charge to the FIR. It also ordered Bam and his father Kantilal Bam to appear before a sessions court on May 10.
Incidentally, Satveer Singh has died, while two other accused, Sohan alias Sonu and Manoj, are absconding.
As per police, the .12 bore gun and a blank cartridge were recovered from the spot in 2007.
Incidentally, the Congress has accused the BJP of intimidating its candidates and alleged that there was a threat to democracy.
Monday was the last day of withdrawing of nominations for the fourth phase of the polls. Indore will vote on May 13, while results will be declared on June 4.
