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GOTHENBURG (Sweden) - TWENTY-EIGHT journalists have been killed around the world since November 2007, including nine in Iraq, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) said in its half-year review of press freedom.
'Press freedom is under serious threat from many sources,' WAN said in the report published on the eve of its annual conference, held this year in Gothenburg, Sweden and which runs through Wednesday. The threats emanated from 'gangs and corrupt officials in Latin America, autocratic regimes in the Middle East, conflicts in Africa, hostile governments in Asia, and from death threats and prosecutions in central Asia and Europe,' the review said. 'Iraq remains the most deadly country, with nine (reporters) killed,' it said, noting however that the number of journalists killed in the war-ravaged country had declined from previous years. The report also highlighted the heightened risks for journalists in Afghanistan. The organisation, which is hosting 1,800 participants from 113 countries at the gathering, said China had 'failed to live up to the press freedom commitments made as part of Beijing's preparation to be the host city of the 2008 Games.' In the Middle East and North Africa, the past six months 'have been marked by a number of setbacks in the area of press freedom, mainly due to autocratic regimes that prevent independent voices from making themselves heard.' Tunisia 'continues to be one of the most repressive countries in the Arab region, with no independent media and ruthless punishments of journalists and press freedom advocates.' And in Cuba, 'no improvements have been seen in freedom of expression since Mr Raul Castro took over as president' in February this year, according to WAN. In parts of Europe and Central Asia, freedom of the press continues to be challenged 'either in a subtle or blatant manner.' In Russia, 'a policy to suppress independent reporting on sensitive issues appears to have gained ground.' Ahead of the December parliamentary and March presidential elections, 'cases of harassment and violence against journalists multiplied,' the report added. WAN defends and promotes press freedom and the professional and business interests of newspapers worldwide. Representing 18,000 newspapers, its membership includes 77 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 11 regional and worldwide press groups. -- AFP
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