More reporters behind bars
WASHINGTON -- The number of journalists in jail worldwide rose in 2002, with China remaining at the top of the list for keeping reporters behind bars, according to a study released yesterday in Washington by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
While incarcerations rose 15 percent to 136, deaths fell. The survey on press freedom found that 19 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 2002, down from 37 a year earlier because of fewer armed conflicts.
During the past 10 years, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said 366 reporters had died while carrying out their work. While many were killed in crossfire, the vast majority were "hunted down and murdered, often in direct reprisal for their reporting", the study said.
The most deadly countries for journalists last year were Colombia, the Palestinian territories and Russia, with three deaths each. Two deaths were reported in both Pakistan and the Philippines and one each in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal, Uganda and Venezuela.
As for incarcerations, the organisation said China put an additional five journalists in jail, bringing its total number to 39. China has been the top jailer of journalists four years in a row. -- Sapa-DPA