Perils increase for journalists

More journalists are being targeted worldwide

Journalists worldwide are facing a greater likelihood of being killed in the line of duty, according to the latest report by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

The authorities must act now to bring those responsible to justice

International Federation of Journalists

The IFJ called on governments to do more to protect people in the media, as the first months of 2001 have seen an increase in killings of journalists around the world - 21 have been killed since January.

"Journalists are still suffering routine violence in the line of duty," the IFJ said.

"Too many of these attacks take place with impunity. The authorities must act now to bring those responsible to justice," it added.

Dangerous countries

And once again Colombia is at the top of the most dangerous list. In the past two weeks three Colombian reporters have been murdered.

The latest killing was of television journalist Yesid Marulanda, who was shot six times in the head.

The latest killing was of television journalist Yesid Marulanda

Police blame right-wing paramilitaries who are fighting leftist rebels and the army in the country's 37-year-old civil war.

The killing is made all the more shocking because Marulanda was a sports reporter who specialised in covering soccer matches.

Mexico and the Philippines have also proved dangerous - two journalists have been killed in each of those countries this year.

The IFJ has called on governments - especially those in Latin America and South East Asia - to do more to find and punish those responsible.

It adds that over the past 10 years more than 1,000 reporters and media staff have been killed doing their job.