According to a report by the International Federation of Journalists, 118 members of the media were killed while carrying out their job in 2014. That's 13 more deaths than the year before.
#Paris: IFJ #mediterranean unions demand action to protect journalists rights & #security http://t.co/f4bbOOC0mB pic.twitter.com/1IkwHddbKl
— IFJ (@IFJGlobal) April 2, 2015
The deadliest countries, according to the Campaign to Protect Journalists are Syria, followed by Ukraine and Iraq. And nineteen journalists have already been killed this year in Brazil, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Syria, South Sudan, Mexico, and Yemen; whilst a total of eight journalists were killed in a terror attack in Paris, France in January.
The Council of Europe has called on its 47 member states to review their laws and practices to make sure each country meets international obligations to protect journalists and their individual safety.
And the International Federation of Journalists and its affiliates in Europe are calling for a new regional campaign to improve the standards and safety of journalistic practices.
Sixty union leaders, media experts and broadcasters laid flowers outside the old offices of satirical French magazine, Charlie Hebdo, in Paris. Jim Boumelha, president of the IFJ, said:
"This is a very moving moment for us all to be able to come together with our brothers and sisters from across the Mediterranean to pay our respects to the victims of these most brutal of killings."
The Council of Europe has officially launched a new digital platform to promote the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists.
"We encourage our affiliates to report to us immediately whenever there is any media violation.
"This will help put pressure on member states which violate media freedom to act in accordance with international standards on media freedom," said Mogens Blicher Bjerragard, President of the European Federation of Journalists.
