Latin America is dangerous for journalists

In its annual report, the International Federation of Journalists says more than twenty reporters have been killed in Latin America this year -- almost half the number of journalists killed worldwide in 1997.

The report said Latin America is an area where journalists are deliberately targeted by political terrorists, corrupt politicians and the drugs mafia.

The federation also blamed corrupt authorities and organised crime for the deaths of several journalists in Russia, which, it said, continues to be the most dangerous single country in the world for reporters.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service