Journalism is not a crime

JFO photo

By

Rafah Al Saad

Each year the second day of November marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

The International Press Institute (IPI) stated that the four most dangerous countries for journalists are Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Since the beginning of this year 74 journalists around the world have been killed, either by stabbing, bombings or under torture, the IPI stated.

In Afghanistan 22 journalists have already been killed this year, while 22 have been killed in Iraq. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said there are different factions responsible for the deaths in Iraq, forces killing journalists who write against them, as well as the Shiite militias and ISIS troops who executed 17 journalists last year alone.

According to HRW 376 journalists were killed in 2015.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated that in Libya 31 journalists were killed in 2015.

In Yemen, one of the four most dangerous countries for journalists, 7 have already been killed this year.

IPI stated that media freedom around the world declined in the last year to the lowest level in 12 years, and that only 13 percent of the world’s population enjoy media freedom in countries where journalism has a good and safe environment.

However, 41 percent of the world’s population enjoys a partial media freedom, whereas a disturbing 46 percent do not have any media freedom at all.

Rafah Al Saad

Rafah Al Saad is a a Senior Writer/Reporter at the Al Arabiya News Channel, MBC Group.