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Watchdog Says 200 Media Workers Killed In Iraq War


Russian photographer Dmitry Chebotayev was among the journalists killed in Iraq this year (AFP) August 31, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- At least 200 journalists and media workers have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, according to an international media watchdog.


Reporters Without Borders released the latest death toll in a statement today following the death of another media worker, Anwar Abbas Lafta, an interpreter working for the U.S. television network CBS.


Lafta's body was found in Baghdad on August 25, five days after he was abducted by militants.


Reporters Without Borders said that the war in Iraq has been the deadliest war for the media, and that three-quarters of the journalists killed were directly targeted. It said that figure contrasts with other conflicts, in which media workers were mainly the victims of collateral damage.


The group also warned that a climate of impunity exists for violent groups in Iraq, and that "those who murder journalists in Iraq unfortunately have nothing to fear from the police and judicial authorities."


Reporters Without Borders said 88 percent of those killed were Iraqis, and noted that 49 media workers have been killed this year alone.



RFE/RL Iraq Report

RFE/RL Iraq Report


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