BRUSSELS – 2009 was one of the worst for the targeted killing of media workers, with 113 lives lost, a leading watchdog said Thursday and called on governments to do more to protect reporters.
The Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) designated the Philippines, Mexico and Somalia the most dangerous countries for media staff, following a spate of killings in recent months.
“The devastating massacre of 31 journalists and media staff in the Philippines in November and fresh violence against colleagues in Mexico and Somalia have made this a year of terrible bloodshed for media,” IFJ President Jim Boumelha said.
The group said a total of 137 media personnel were killed in 2009 –24 of them in accidents at work – up from 109 in 2008, despite a UN Security Council pledge three years ago to do more to protect people in the industry.
“The question is whether governments are listening or ready to take their responsibilities seriously,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.
“There is no room for complacency and indifference. The crisis facing media threatens innocent lives and democracy itself,” he said in a statement.
The highest single national toll was 38 in the Philippines. Thirteen fatalities happened in Mexico, nine in Somalia, seven in Pakistan and six in Russia.
Killings in Iraq, long the most dangerous country for media staff, fell from 16 last year to five in 2009. –Agence France-Presse
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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