Journalist deaths in Iraq in 2006 set a new record

32 journalists died in Iraq this year, making 2006 the most deadly year for press in any one country ever monitored by press advocacy group Committee to Protect Journalists. Snip from announcement:

In most cases, such as the killing of Atwar Bahjat, one of the best-known television reporters in the Arab world, insurgents specifically targeted journalists to be murdered, CPJ found in a new analysis. Worldwide, CPJ found 55 journalists were killed in direct connection to their work in 2006, and it is investigating another 27 deaths to determine whether they were work-related. Detailed accounts of each case are posted on CPJ’s Web site. The figures reflect increases from 2005, when 47 journalists were killed in direct relation to their work, while 17 others died in circumstances in which the link to their profession was not clear. CPJ, founded in 1981, compiles and analyzes journalist deaths each year.

Afghanistan and the Philippines, with three deaths apiece, were the next most dangerous datelines in 2006. Russia, Mexico, Pakistan, and Colombia each saw two journalists killed. All are traditionally dangerous countries for the press, CPJ research shows.

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Reader comment: Mandy Hearne says,

I would add the death of David Rosenbaum to the list of unconfirmed deaths. The tactic of letting a person die of untreated wounds is not unfamiliar in the history of the US (see Assata Shakur's story, for example). A series of 'failures of the system' is a highly effective means of murder, it is neat and completely deniable.

And when telling the story to a friend from Turkey, who studied at a fairly "Leftist" university and is aware of the killings of journalists there, said that had David Rosenbaum's death happened in Turkey, there would be no doubt it was murder by the government. I think that the US has a history it has to own up to in the death, potential murder, of David Rosenbaum. Funny that the 'murderer' turned himself in: "Asked why Hamlin turned himself in, Morris said, "Stranger things have happened." Hamlin told police he would show them where he hid the weapon, Morris said."

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