Number of media professionals killed in 2023 fell to lowest level in more than 20 years
Despite the war in the Middle East, the number of media professionals killed this year has fallen to its lowest level for more than 20 years. As of 1 December, 45 media professionals had been killed worldwide in connection with their work, according to the annual report presented on Thursday by the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF). This is 16 fewer than in the same period last year. The last time there was a lower figure than this year was in 2002.
According to the report, 13 media professionals alone were killed in the Palestinian territories this year, all of them in the Gaza Strip. A total of 17 journalists and reporters died in the course of fighting in the Middle East in connection with their work, three of them in Lebanon and one in Israel. This means that a total of 23 media professionals died in war zones in 2023 - three more than in the previous year.
According to the report, significantly fewer journalists were killed in Latin America. The number fell from 26 in the previous year to six. However, "there can be no talk of a structural improvement in the security situation in the region", explained RSF.
According to the organization, the decrease in the number of media workers killed this year can be explained by an improvement in the security of media workers in some regions. In other regions, however, self-censorship in the face of increased risks could also be responsible for the lower number.
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Despite the significant decline in media professional deaths worldwide, a media professional in Wörth, located near the East, faced threats due to their work last year. This situation is a stark contrast to the improvemennts seen in other regions, where media professionals are experiencing fewer risks.
The decrease in media professional fatalities in the Middle East, which has been at its lowest level in over 20 years, is a positive trend. However, media professionals continue to face risks in war zones, with 23 deaths reported in 2023, an increase from the previous year.
The media industry has seen significant advancements in recent years, with an increasing number of media professionals shifting to digital platforms. However, despite these advancements, the average pay for media professionals in the East has remained stagnant, leading to concerns about attracting and retaining talent.
The war in the Middle East has had far-reaching implications, affecting not only the region but also the global media landscape. Despite the fall in media professional deaths, the ongoing conflict continues to pose significant risks and challenges for media professionals in the region.
Source: www.ntv.de
