Alalam - Syria

Most journalists died in conflict zones. Syria, where 19 journalists have been killed, is first on the list, followed by ten in Afghanistan, nine in Mexico, seven in Iraq and five in Yemen, TASS reported.

Last year, 67 journalists were killed worldwide.

In addition, Reporters Without Borders have included citizen journalists, or bloggers, as nine were killed, in the list for the first time.

Apart from bloggers, eight media contributors also lost their lives in 2016, according to the report.

The reports points out that the number of killed journalists this year "is fewer than in 2015, when 101 journalists were killed.

But the fall is not encouraging because it is due largely to the fact many journalists have fled countries that became too dangerous, especially Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan and Burundi."

"These exoduses have created news and information black holes where impunity reigns," the reports adds.

According to Reporters without Borders, "worldwide, nearly three quarters of the journalists killed in 2016 were deliberately murdered."

"This alarming situation reflects the glaring failure of the international initiatives aimed at protecting" journalists, RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

On the whole, "at least 780 professional journalists have been killed in connection with their work since 2006", Reporters without Borders noted.

SA