The number of journalists killed last year was 50% higher than in 2021, with most of the murders taking place in Ukraine, Haiti and Mexico, according to a report presented by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), according to DPA, Agerpres reads.

Last year was the bloodiest for journalists since 2018, with at least 67 media workers killed, CPJ said in its annual report.

At least 41 of them were targeted for their work, while the motives for the other 26 murders are still under investigation, the media freedom organization added.

15 journalists died in Ukraine, 13 in Mexico, and seven in Haiti. It is the highest number of journalists killed by CPJ for each of the three countries.

Journalists in Ukraine „face an enormous risk”, claims CPJ. „Media representatives are frequently injured in bombings while reporting on the conflict, and some reports claim that they were targeted by Russian forces,” the report states.

In Haiti, some journalists died at the hands of street gangs who committed violence in the capital, but at least two were shot dead by police.

„Reporting from Haiti today is extremely difficult for journalists, especially in the capital. Corruption is everywhere. You can’t rely on anyone,” said a reporter from Radio Caraibe, Mackenson Remy.

Crimes in Mexico are characterized by impunity and are fueled by it, as happened on January 17, 2022 with the assassination, in Tijuana, of the photographer Margarito Martinez, followed five days later by the murder of Lourdes Maldonado Lopez.

Those who ordered the assassinations were never arrested, which sends the message that „anyone can kill you for $1,000,” CPJ said.

Agerpres