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Brussels, 5 August - The murder of an American freelance journalist this week takes the total news media death toll in the Iraq War to 80. Journalists and other newsgathering staff from 16 countries have died since the war began in March 2003 - almost three a month -- according to figures compiled by the International News Safety Institute (INSI). But the vast majority of the dead are Iraqi. Fifty-six have now died trying to report their country for their compatriots and the world. "Every single civilian death in this war is to be mourned, but a free press is critical for a free and fearless society. Hopes of a new democracy rising from the ashes of post-Saddam Iraq are being buried alongside these brave reporters," said INSI Director Rodney Pinder. Forty-nine of the dead journalists -- almost two-thirds of the total -- were murdered by insurgents. Thirteen were killed by US troops and 7 died in crossfire. Two were killed by Iraqi forces before the fall of Saddam Hussein and one was believed to have been shot by Iraqi troops working with the US-led coalition. Eight died in accidents or from health problems. There is no firm evidence that US forces deliberately sought to kill journalists, though the absence of open inquiries into killings continues to fuel widespread suspicions. No one is known to have been held to account for the death of any journalist in Iraq. There are many instances of apparently deliberate slaying of reporters by unidentified insurgents. The latest victim, American journalist Steven Vincent, was writing about the rise of conservative Shi'ite Islam and the corruption of Iraqi police. He was kidnapped in Basra by at least two men wearing police uniform and driving a police car, witnesses said. He was dumped in the street after being shot three times and his Iraqi interpreter was wounded. "People who murder reporters are no freedom fighters," Pinder said. "They are nothing more than murderous thugs who fear the light of free reporting." Vincent was the first American journalist to be attacked and killed during the war. The others died in accidents or from health problems. As well as the 56 Iraqis, the war has claimed the lives of journalists and support staff from Algeria, Argentina (2), Australia (2), Britain (3), Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan (2), Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Poland, Spain (2), Ukraine and the United States (4). By comparison, the Vietnam war claimed about 70 news media dead over 20 years. INSI has held two safety training courses in Iraqi for Iraqi journalists and plans three more in coming months. Applicants should contact INSI Deputy Director Sarah de Jong by e-mail sarah.dejong@newssafety.com or by phone +32 22 35 2201. "We are particularly anxious to provide this help to Iraqi cameramen, the unsung heroes behind most of the news footage we see on our screens every day," Pinder said. Contact: rodney.pinder@newssafety.com or by phone +44 7734 709 267 |