04.01.2025. INDIA. PEC condemns murder of scribe in India, 1st victim in 2025

With Nava Thakuria, PEC's South Asia Representative

Geneva: New Year has brought sad news for the Indian media fraternity as a young scribe was found murdered in Bijapur locality of Chhattisgarh State on Friday. Local media persons informed that the body of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar (photo web) was recovered from a newly constructed septic tank belonging to an influential contractor based in Chattanpara area. Mukesh (30), who made daring media reports on corruption and insurgency in central India, went missing on 1 January 2025 and his family members lodged a police complaint. A seasoned journalist, Mukesh used to run a YouTube channel named Bastar Junction and enjoyed millions of views.

“It’s unfortunate that a young media person is seemingly targeted for his string reporting on powerful corrupt people. Incidentally, Mukesh Chandrakar becomes the first journalist to be killed this year across the world. We demand a fair probe to identify the culprits behind his killing and subsequent punishment under the law. PEC urges Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai to take personal interest to deliver justice to the bereaved scribe’s family as early as possible,” commented PEC president Blaise Lempen.

PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that Mukesh worked in several media outlets including a satellite news channel. He made a mark in investigative journalism while reporting on misappropriation of funds in various government projects in his locality. The courageous journalist also faced wrath from the ultra left insurgents, who remained active in Bastar district, and finally Mukesh established himself as a strong voice for the deprived section in the society.

The global casualty of media workers reached 179 in 2024 across 25 countries. India maintained the number of journo-murders within 4 which is one more than the casualty reported in 2023. All the media victims reported last year from the central Indian region, where Uttar Pradesh witnessed the killing of two journalists (Ashutosh Srivastava and Dilip Saini), followed by Bihar (Shivshankar Jha) and Madhya Pradesh (Salman Ali Khan).

03.01.2025. UPDATE - PEC annual report  (en français après l’anglais)

Record number of journalists killed in 2024, PEC demands justice
 
Geneva, January 3, 2025 (PEC) A record number of media workers have been killed in 2024, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) deplored in Geneva, by updating its annual report. At least 179 of them lost their lives in 25 countries around the world. Almost three quarters of the journalists killed were killed in conflict zones.

December was a particularly dramatic month with 20 more victims. The increase in 2024 compared with 2023 according to the same criteria is 28%. The death toll of 179 is equivalent to 3,4 victims a week on average.

Conflicts in the Middle East are responsible for more than half of the victims. They have claimed the lives of 91 journalists: at least 80 in the Gaza Strip, 6 in Lebanon, 4 in Syria and 1 in the West Bank. In total, the hostilities in Gaza since 7 October 2023 have killed at least 161 media workers, an unprecedented toll for a conflict in such a short space of time.
 
In 2024, the war in Ukraine resulted in the deaths of 19 Ukrainian journalists (most of whom had joined the army) plus one foreigner (Ryan Evans of Reuters in Kramatorsk). To this must be added the death in custody in Russia on 10 October of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Rochtchina, making a total of 21 victims.
 
Outside the Middle East and Ukraine, Pakistan had the highest number of journalists killed, 12 since January, a clear deterioration. Russia has 7 journalists killed (including three in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia and one in Kursk). In Bangladesh, unrest in July left 7 journalists dead.
 
The situation remains very dangerous in Mexico, where 7 journalists have been killed. Hostilities in Sudan caused the death of 6 journalists. In Colombia, 4 media workers were killed, 4 in India, 3 in Iraq and 3 in Myanmar (Burma). Two people were killed in Somalia, two in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and two in Haiti.
 
Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Nepal and the Philippines, followed with one fatality in each country.
 

In ten years, the PEC has counted 1,159 victims, an average of 2.25 per week. Over the last five years, the most dangerous countries have been Gaza/West Bank (166), Ukraine (59), Mexico (55), Pakistan (36) and India (32).
 
By continent in 2024, the Middle East had the highest number of victims (92: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria , West Bank and Iraq), ahead of Asia (31). Europe follows (28: Ukraine and Russia), ahead of Latin America (17) and Africa (11). In addition to the Middle East, there has been a deterioration in Asia from one year to the next (31 deaths compared with 12). On the positive side, there were fewer victims in Latin America in 2024 than in 2023 (16 compared with 20).
 
The PEC condemns these crimes, committed in violation of international law and national legislation. Independent investigations are essential to clarify the circumstances and prosecute those responsible in order to combat impunity.

“This very heavy death toll, the heaviest since the beginning of the century, reinforces the need for an international instrument which clarifies the conditions for the protection of the profession of journalism in conflict zones”, said PEC President Blaise Lempen. “We will continue to work on this in 2025”, he added.
 
Unlike other organizations, the PEC includes in its statistics all journalists killed, whether or not their deaths were related to their professional activity. It is difficult to prove that a crime was committed in connection with a journalist's work without a full and independent investigation, which is often lacking.

We wish you all the best for 2025 !
 
List of victims at: https://www.pressemblem.ch/casualties

03.01.2025. MISE À JOUR - Rapport annuel de la PEC

Nombre record de journalistes tués en 2024, la PEC réclame que justice soit faite 
 
Genève, 3 janvier 2025 (PEC) Un nombre record de professionnels des médias ont été tués en 2024, a déploré la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) à Genève, en mettant à jour son rapport annuel. Au moins 179 d'entre eux ont perdu la vie dans 25 pays. Près des trois quarts des journalistes tués l'ont été dans des zones de conflit.
 
Le mois de décembre a été particulièrement dramatique avec 20 victimes. L'augmentation en 2024 par rapport à 2023, selon les mêmes critères, est de 28%. Le nombre de 179 morts équivaut à 3,4 victimes par semaine en moyenne.
 
Les conflits au Moyen-Orient sont responsables de plus de la moitié des victimes. Ils ont coûté la vie à 91 journalistes : au moins 80 dans la bande de Gaza, 6 au Liban, 4 en Syrie et 1 en Cisjordanie. Au total, les hostilités à Gaza depuis le 7 octobre 2023 ont tué au moins 161 professionnels des médias, un bilan sans précédent pour un conflit en si peu de temps.
 

En 2024, la guerre en Ukraine a causé la mort de 19 journalistes ukrainiens (dont la plupart avaient rejoint l'armée) et d'un étranger (Ryan Evans de Reuters à Kramatorsk). A cela s'ajoute la mort en détention en Russie, le 10 octobre, de la journaliste ukrainienne Victoria Rochtchina, soit un total de 21 victimes.
 
En dehors du Moyen-Orient et de l'Ukraine, c'est au Pakistan que le nombre de journalistes tués est le plus élevé (12), une nette détérioration. La Russie compte 7 journalistes tués (dont trois dans les territoires ukrainiens occupés par la Russie et un à Koursk). Au Bangladesh, les troubles du mois de juillet ont fait 7 morts parmi les journalistes.
 
La situation reste très dangereuse au Mexique, où 7 journalistes ont été tués. Les hostilités au Soudan ont causé la mort de 6 journalistes. En Colombie, 4 professionnels des médias ont été tués, 4 en Inde, 3 en Irak et 3 au Myanmar (Birmanie). Deux ont été tués en Somalie, deux en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) et deux en Haïti.
 
Le Cambodge, le Tchad, l'Équateur, le Honduras, l'Indonésie, la Jamaïque, le Népal et les Philippines suivent avec un décès dans chaque pays.
 

En dix ans, la PEC a dénombré 1 159 victimes, soit une moyenne de 2,25 par semaine. Au cours des cinq dernières années, les pays les plus dangereux ont été Gaza/Cisjordanie (166), l'Ukraine (59), le Mexique (55), le Pakistan (36) et l'Inde (32).
 
Par continent en 2024, c'est le Moyen-Orient qui compte le plus grand nombre de victimes (92 : Gaza, Liban, Syrie, Cisjordanie et Irak), devant l'Asie (31). L'Europe suit (28 : Ukraine et Russie), devant l'Amérique latine (17) et l'Afrique (11). Outre le Moyen-Orient, l'Asie connaît une détérioration d'une année sur l'autre (31 décès contre 12). En revanche, l'Amérique latine compte moins de victimes en 2024 que l'année précédente (16 contre 20).
 
La PEC condamne ces crimes, commis en violation du droit international et des législations nationales. Des enquêtes indépendantes sont indispensables pour éclaircir les circonstances et poursuivre les responsables afin de lutter contre l'impunité.
 
« Ce bilan très lourd, le plus lourd depuis le début du siècle renforce la nécessité d'un instrument international qui clarifie les conditions de protection de la profession de journaliste dans les zones de conflit », a déclaré le président de la PEC, Blaise Lempen. « Nous allons continuer à y travailler en 2025 », a-t-il ajouté.
 
Contrairement à d'autres organisations, la PEC inclut dans ses statistiques tous les journalistes tués, que leur mort soit ou non liée à leur activité professionnelle. Il est difficile de prouver qu'un crime a été commis en relation avec le travail d'un journaliste sans une enquête complète et indépendante, qui fait souvent défaut.

Avec nos meilleurs vœux pour 2025 !
 
Liste des victimes sur: https://www.pressemblem.ch/casualties

17.12.2024. PEC annual report. Record number of journalists killed in 2024

 (French and Spanish after English)

Geneva, December 17, 2024 (PEC) A record number of media workers have been killed this year, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) deplored in Geneva on Tuesday. At least 165 of them lost their lives in 21 countries around the world (until December 15). Two conflicts are responsible for two thirds of victims: the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. 
 

The increase compared with 2023 is almost 18%.
 
‘The situation is particularly dramatic in the Gaza Strip because of the continuing Israeli strikes’, said PEC President Blaise Lempen. ‘The targeted or accidental elimination of Palestinian journalists on the ground, the destruction of media facilities, the refusal to allow foreign journalists into the Gaza Strip and the pressure on the Israeli media demonstrate the current Israeli government's systematic determination to prevent any information on the fate of the Palestinian population’, he added.
 
Since January 1, the conflict in the Middle East has claimed the lives of 82 journalists: at least 74 in the Gaza Strip, 6 in Lebanon and 2 in Syria. In total, the hostilities in Gaza since 7 October 2023 have killed at least 155 media workers, an unprecedented toll for a conflict in such a short space of time.
 
In 2024, the war in Ukraine resulted in the deaths of 19 Ukrainian journalists (most of whom had joined the army) plus one foreigner (Ryan Evans of Reuters in Kramatorsk). Four Russian journalists were victims of the conflict, three in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia and one in Kursk. To this must be added the death in custody in Russia on 10 October of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Rochtchina, making a total of 25 victims (see paragraph on sources below).
 
Outside the Middle East and Ukraine, Pakistan had the highest number of journalists killed, 12 since January, a clear deterioration. Russia has 7 journalists killed (including the 3 in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine). In Bangladesh, unrest in July left 7 journalists dead.
 
The situation remains very dangerous in Mexico, where 7 journalists have been killed. Hostilities in Sudan caused the death of 5 journalists. In Colombia, 4 media workers were killed, 4 in India, 3 in Iraq and 3 in Myanmar (Burma). Two people were killed in Somalia and two in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
 
Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, and the Philippines, followed with one fatality in each country.
 
  Fewer in Latin America

The death toll of 165 is equivalent to 3 victims a week. In ten years, the PEC has counted 1,172 victims, an average of 2.25 per week. Over the last five years, the most dangerous countries have been Gaza/West Bank (159), Ukraine (59), Mexico (55), Pakistan (36) and India (32).
 
By continent in 2024, the Middle East had the highest number of victims (85: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq), ahead of Asia (30). Europe follows (28: Ukraine and Russia), ahead of Latin America (13) and Africa (9). In addition to the Middle East and Europe, there has been a deterioration in Asia from one year to the next (30 deaths compared with 12). On the positive side, there were fewer victims in Latin America this year than last (13 compared with 20).
 
Almost three quarters of the journalists killed this year were killed in conflict zones (120 out of 165). At this stage of the investigations, it is not possible to determine the number of deliberate murders as opposed to accidental deaths (victims of gunfire, bombings). Many other journalists were injured, particularly in Lebanon.
 
The PEC condemns these crimes, committed in violation of international law and national legislation. Independent investigations are essential to clarify the circumstances and prosecute those responsible in order to combat impunity.
 
  Sources
 
Sources: in Ukraine, the PEC is based on the count by the Institute of Mass Information (https://imi.org.ua/en), with the addition of those killed on the Russian side. According to the IMI, the conflict in Ukraine since February 2022 has claimed 93 victims. The Institute counts journalists killed in the ranks of the armed forces (the deaths of some of whom are often not known until several months later, hence the postponement of deaths from 2023 to 2024). The PEC adds to its statistics Rssian journalists killed, not counted by the IMI, and whose deaths due to fighting were announced by the Russian media.

For Gaza, the figures from the Palestinian Journalists' Union and the Hamas government's media office are higher (196 since October 2023). The difficulty is knowing

whether some of the victims meet the usual criteria for the profession of journalist (press card, accreditation by a media outlet) or whether they improvised as

journalists because of the circumstances. It is impossible to know with certainty whether they were deliberately targeted or not, in the absence of investigations and

independent witnesses at the scene.
 
Elsewhere in the world, the PEC uses news broadcast by local media and press agencies.
 
Unlike other organizations, the PEC includes in its statistics all journalists killed, whether or not their deaths were related to their professional activity. It is difficult

to prove that a crime was committed in connection with a journalist's work without a full and independent investigation, which is often lacking.
 
List of victims at: https://www.pressemblem.ch/casualties

Rapport annuel de la PEC: nombre record de journalistes tués en 2024

Genève, le 17 décembre 2024 (PEC) Un nombre record de travailleurs des médias ont été tués cette année, a déploré mardi à Genève la Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC). Au moins 165 d’entre eux ont perdu la vie dans 21 pays dans le monde (jusqu’au 15 décembre). Deux conflits sont responsables des deux tiers des victimes: les guerres du Proche-Orient et d’Ukraine.

La hausse par rapport à 2023 est de près de 18 %.

«La situation est particulièrement dramatique dans la bande de Gaza en raison de la poursuite des frappes israéliennes», a déclaré le président de la PEC Blaise Lempen. «L’élimination des journalistes palestiniens sur le terrain, de manière ciblée ou accidentelle, la destruction des installations des médias, le refus de laisser les journalistes étrangers entrer dans la bande de Gaza, les pressions sur les médias israéliens démontrent une volonté systématique du gouvernement israélien actuel d’empêcher toute information sur le sort de la population palestinienne», a-t-il ajouté.

Depuis le 1^er janvier, les conflits au Proche-orient ont fait 82 victimes parmi les journalistes, soit au moins 74 dans la bande de Gaza, 6 au Liban et 2 en Syrie. Au total, les hostilités à Gaza ont fait depuis le 7 octobre 2023 au moins 155 tués parmi les travailleurs des médias, un bilan sans précédent dans un conflit en un si court laps de temps.

La guerre en Ukraine a provoqué en 2024 la mort de 19 journalistes ukrainiens (la plupart enrôlés dans l’armée) plus un étranger (Ryan Evans de Reuters à Kramatorsk). Quatre journalistes russes ont été victimes du conflit, trois dans les territoires ukrainiens occupés par la Russie, une à Kursk. Il faut ajouter le décès en détention en Russie le 10 octobre de la journaliste ukrainienne Victoria Rochtchina, soit au total 25 victimes (voir paragraphe sur les sources ci-dessous).

En dehors du Proche-orient et de l’Ukraine, le Pakistan a dénombré le plus grand nombre de journalistes tués, 12 depuis janvier, une nette dégradation. La Russie totalise 7 tués (avec les 3 dans les territoires ukrainiens occupés par la Russie). Au Bangladesh, les troubles survenus en juillet ont fait 7 victimes parmi les journalistes.

La situation reste très dangereuse au Mexique, avec 7 assassinats de journalistes. Les hostilités au Soudan ont provoqué la mort de cinq journalistes. En Colombie, on déplore 4 tués, 4 en Inde, 3 en Irak, et 3 au Myanmar (Birmanie). Deux tués ont été recensés en Somalie et deux en République démocratique du Congo (RDC).

Suivent avec une victime dans chaque pays : Cambodge, Équateur, Honduras, Indonésie, Philippines et Tchad.

Moins en Amérique latine

Le bilan de 165 victimes correspond à 3 victimes par semaine. En dix ans, la PEC a dénombré 1172 victimes, soit 2,25 par semaine en moyenne. Ces cinq dernières années, les pays les plus dangereux ont été Gaza/Cisjordanie (159), l’Ukraine (59), le Mexique (55), le Pakistan (36) et l’Inde (32).

Par continent en 2024, le Proche-Orient compte le plus grand nombre de victimes (85: Gaza, Liban, Syrie et Irak), devant l’Asie (30) et l’Europe (28: Ukraine et Russie). L’Amérique latine suit (13 tués) puis l’Afrique (9 tués). Outre au Proche-Orient et en Europe, on note une détérioration en Asie d’une année sur l’autre (30 tués contre 12). Par contre, tendance positive, il y a moins de victimes en Amérique latine cette année par rapport à l’année précédente (13 contre 20).

Près des trois quarts des journalistes tués cette année l’ont été dans une zone de conflit (120 sur 165). A ce stade des enquêtes, il n’est pas possible de déterminer le nombre de meurtres délibérés par rapport aux morts accidentels (victimes de tirs, bombardements). Beaucoup d’autres journalistes ont été blessés, en particulier au Liban.

La PEC condamne ces crimes, commis en violation du droit international et des législations nationales. Des enquêtes indépendantes sont indispensables pour clarifier les circonstances et poursuivre les responsables afin de lutter contre l’impunité.

Sources

Sources: en Ukraine, la PEC se base sur le décompte de l’Institute of Mass Information (https://imi.org.ua/en), en ajoutant les tués du côté russe. Selon l’IMI, le conflit en Ukraine depuis février 2022 a fait 93 victimes. L’Institut compte les journalistes tués dans les rangs des forces armées (dont la mort de certains d’entre eux n’est connue souvent que plusieurs mois plus tard, d’où un report des tués de 2023 sur 2024). La PEC ajoute dans sa statistique les journalistes russes tués, non recensés par l’IMI, et dont la mort en raison des combats a été annoncée par les médias russes.

Pour Gaza, les chiffres du Syndicat des journalistes palestiniens et du bureau des médias du gouvernement du Hamas sont plus élevés (196 depuis octobre 2023). La difficulté est de savoir si certaines victimes répondent aux critères habituels de la profession de journaliste (carte de presse, accréditation par un média) ou s’ils se sont improvisés journalistes en raison des circonstances. Il est impossible de savoir avec certitude s’ils ont été visés délibérément ou non, en l’absence d’enquêtes et de témoins indépendants sur les lieux.

Ailleurs dans le monde, la PEC utilise les nouvelles diffusées par les médias locaux et les agences de presse.

A la différence d’autres organisations, la PEC considère dans sa statistique tous les journalistes tués, que leur décès soit lié ou non à leur activité professionnelle. Il est en effet difficile de prouver qu’un crime est commis en relation avec le travail d’un journaliste sans une enquête indépendante et complète qui fait souvent défaut.

Liste des victimes sur : https://www.pressemblem.ch/casualties

Informe anual del PEC: Cifra récord de periodistas asesinados en 2024

Ginebra, 17 de diciembre de 2024 (PEC) Un número récord de trabajadores de los medios de comunicación han sido asesinados este año, deploró el martes la

Campaña Emblema de Prensa (PEC, por sus siglas en inglés), en Ginebra. Al menos 165 de ellos fueron asesinados en 21 países de todo el mundo (hasta el 15 de

diciembre). Dos conflictos son responsables de dos tercios de las víctimas: las guerras en el Oriente Medio y Ucrania.

El aumento respecto a 2023 es casi del 18%.

 "La situación es particularmente dramática en la Franja de Gaza debido a los continuos ataques israelíes", dijo el presidente de la PEC, Blaise Lempen. “La

eliminación de periodistas palestinos sobre el terreno, ya sea selectiva o accidental, la destrucción de instalaciones de medios de comunicación, la negativa a permitir

que periodistas extranjeros entren en la Franja de Gaza, presión sobre los medios israelíes demuestran un deseo sistemático del actual gobierno israelí de obstruir la

información sobre el destino de la población palestina”, añadió.

El conflicto en Oriente Medio ha provocado la muerte de 82 periodistas en 2024, incluidos 74 en la Franja de Gaza, 6 en el Líbano y dos en Siria. En total, las

hostilidades en Gaza han matado al menos a 155 trabajadores de los medios de comunicación desde el 7 de octubre de 2023, una cifra sin precedentes en un conflicto

en un período de tiempo tan corto.

La guerra en Ucrania ha provocado la muerte de 19 periodistas ucranianos en 2024 (la mayoría alistados en el ejército) más un extranjero (Ryan Evans, de la agencia

Reuters en Kramatorsk). Cuatro periodistas rusos fueron víctimas del conflicto, tres en los territorios ucranianos ocupados por Rusia y uno en Kursk. A esto hay que

añadir la muerte bajo custodia, en Rusia, el 10 de octubre, de la periodista ucraniana Victoria Rochtchina, lo que suma un total de 25 víctimas (véase el párrafo sobre

las fuentes más abajo).

Fuera del Medio Oriente y de Ucrania, Pakistán ha tenido el mayor número de periodistas asesinados, 12 desde enero, un claro deterioro. Rusia suma 7 muertos (tres

de ellos en los territorios ucranianos ocupados por Rusia). En Bangladesh, los disturbios de julio dejaron siete periodistas muertos.

 La situación sigue siendo muy peligrosa en México, con 7 asesinatos. Las hostilidades en Sudán han causado la muerte de 5 periodistas. En Colombia hubo 4

muertos, 4 en India, 3 en Irak y 3 en Myanmar (Birmania). En Somalia se registraron dos muertes y dos en República Democrática del Congo.

Le siguen con una víctima en cada país: Camboya, Chad, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, y Filipinas.

Menos muertes en América Latina

El balance de 165 víctimas corresponde a 3 víctimas por semana. En diez años, la PEC ha contabilizado 1.172 víctimas, es decir, 2,25 por semana en promedio. En los

últimos cinco años, los países más peligrosos han sido Gaza/Cisjordania (159), Ucrania (59), México (55), Pakistán (36) y la India (32).

Por continentes en 2024, Oriente Medio tiene el mayor número de víctimas (85: Gaza, Líbano, Siria e Irak), por delante de Asia con 30 muertos. Le sigue Europa (28:

Ucrania y Rusia), por delante de América Latina (13 muertos) y África (9 muertos). Además de Oriente Medio y Europa, observamos un deterioro en Asia de un año

a otro (30 muertos frente a 12). Por otro lado, hay una tendencia positiva: hay menos víctimas en América Latina este año con respecto al año anterior (13 frente a

20).

Casi tres cuartas partes de los periodistas asesinados este año lo fueron en una zona de conflicto (120 de 165). En esta etapa de las investigaciones, no es posible

determinar el número de asesinatos deliberados en comparación con las muertes accidentales (víctimas de tiroteos, atentados). Muchos otros periodistas han resultado

heridos, especialmente en el Líbano.

La PEC condena todos estos crímenes, cometidos en violación del derecho internacional y de la legislación nacional. Las investigaciones independientes son

esenciales para esclarecer las circunstancias y procesar a los responsables con el fin de luchar contra la impunidad.

Fuentes

Fuentes: en Ucrania, la PEC se basa en el recuento del Instituto de Información de Masas (https://imi.org.ua/en), añadiendo los muertos del lado ruso. Según el IMI, el

conflicto en Ucrania, desde febrero de 2022, ha causado 93 víctimas. El Instituto contabiliza los periodistas asesinados en las filas de las fuerzas armadas (la muerte

de algunos de ellos a menudo no se conoce sino hasta varios meses después, de ahí el aplazamiento de los asesinatos de 2023 a 2024). La PEC añade en sus

estadísticas periodistas rusos asesinados, no incluidos en la lista del IMI, y cuya muerte a causa de los combates fue anunciada por los medios de comunicación rusos.

Para Gaza, el Sindicato de Periodistas Palestinos y la oficina de medios del gobierno de Hamas tienen números más altos (196). La dificultad es saber si determinadas

víctimas cumplen los criterios habituales para la profesión de periodista (tarjeta de prensa, acreditación de prensa) o si han improvisado como periodistas debido a las

circunstancias. Es imposible saber con certeza si fueron atacados deliberadamente o no, a falta de investigaciones y de testigos independientes en el lugar.

En otras partes del mundo, la PEC utiliza noticias difundidas por los medios locales y las agencias de noticias.

A diferencia de otras organizaciones, la PEC considera en sus estadísticas a todos los periodistas asesinados, independientemente de que su muerte esté relacionada o

no con su actividad profesional. De hecho, es difícil demostrar que se ha cometido un delito en relación con el trabajo de un periodista sin una investigación

independiente y completa, que a menudo falta.

Lista de víctimas en: https://www.pressemblem.ch/casualties

12.12.2024. PAKISTAN. 12th media persons killed in 2024, PEC expresses serious concern

With Nava Thakuria, PEC's South Asia Representative

Geneva: Pakistan, even though without any war on it, continues to lose media persons to assailants and the south Asian nation witnessed the 12 th journo-victim within 12 months of 2024. Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expresses serious concern after receiving the news about the murder of another journalist named  Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich on 12 December and demands adequate punishments to the perpetrators.

Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich (45) was shot dead by the miscreants at Chowk Chanigoth under Rahimyarkhan district of Pakistan. Family sources claim that he had no enmity to anyone in the locality.  "The local correspondent of Khabrain newspaper becomes the 162nd media person to be killed since 1 januray 2024. We demand the Pakistani authorities to ensure justice to the bereaved family and hence allow no immunity to the killers,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC.

PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that with Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich, Pakistan has lost 12 media workers to assailants this year till date, preceded by Janan Hussain, Jam Saghir Ahmed Lar, Tahira Nosheen Rana, Muhammad Siddiq Mengel, Mehar Ashfaq Siyal, Kamran Dawar, Nasrullah Gadani, Khalil Jibran, Hasan Zaib, Muhammad Bachal Ghunio and Nisar Lehri. Pakistan is followed by Bangladesh (7 journo-casualties) and India (4) in the south Asian region till this moment.

10.12.2024 CAMBODIA. Cambodian journalist died with bullet injuries, PEC demands justice

With Nava Thakuria, PEC' South East Asia Representative

Geneva: Press Emblem Campaign, the global media safety and rights body, demands justice to Cambodian journalist Chhoeung Chheung, who was shot by a

homemade gun inside a forest reserve in Siem Reap locality on 4 December 2024. Chheung (photo, 63), who worked for an online media outlet named Kampuchea

Aphivath (Cambodia Development News), emerged as a media activist against deforestation in Cambodia and hence he was seemingly targeted by the miscreants.

The dedicated journalist died of bullet injuries on 7 December igniting protests by the international press freedom outfits.

“We demand justice for Chhoeung Chheung, who becomes the 161 st media worker to be killed across 21 countries of the world till this year. The Cambodian

authorities may try to project it as a personal vendetta that led to the killing, but only a fair and comprehensive probe can justify the findings. We also urge the

authority in Phnom Penh led by Prime Minister Hun Manet to compensate the bereaved family of Chheung, who raised voices against illegal timber logging in the

tiny country,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (pressemblem.ch).

PEC’s southern Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that  Chheung is the first journo-victim of Cambodia recorded since 1 January. The local investigating

agencies have already arrested one suspect who confessed to the shooting incident and it’s expected that the authoritarian government run by Cambodian People’s

Party will identify the actual cause of Chheung’s elimination. Besides Cambodia, many south and southeast Asian nations have lost many journalists to assailants this

year, where Pakistan topped the list ( 11 media casualties), followed by Bangladesh (7), India (4), Myanmar (3), Indonesia (1) and Philippines (1). 

24.11.2024. GAZA. PEC condemns the Israeli government's ban on foreign journalists travelling to Gaza. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate held a panel at the Media Solidarity Center in Mawasi, Khan Younis, Gaza with the attendace of journalists in Gaza, to discuss preventing foreign journalists from covering the war in Gaza, and its impact on media coverage. Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) participated in the panel with a video message from Geneva. Journalist Ahmed Fayad presented a data-driven working paper on the issue.

Link to the roundtable

Video message of the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)

"Hello everyone,
 
Our Geneva-based NGO, the Press Emblem Campaign, which is represented at the UN, has been working for 20 years to strengthen the protection of journalists in conflict zones. In the last 20 years, we have never witnessed such a dramatic situation for journalists as in Gaza today, with at least 150 media workers killed in just over a year.
 
We strongly condemn the Israeli government's ban on foreign journalists travelling to Gaza. This is clearly an attempt to silence the tragedy that has been unfolding since October 2023 and to prevent independent testimony. This information blockade has disastrous consequences for the population, particularly for the distribution of humanitarian aid, which could be improved if there were journalists on the ground.

There is a clear desire on the part of the Israeli authorities to hush up the tragedy. They have not succeeded, thanks to the courage of the Palestinian journalists who have remained on the ground, risking their lives, and thanks to the existence of social networks that enable images to be circulated on the Internet.
 
Of course, there have to be safety guarantees before journalists can work in a war zone. Journalists must inform the warring parties of their movements so that they are not targeted or accidentally fall victim to gunfire. They cannot go into intense combat zones, where their safety cannot be guaranteed, but limited access to less exposed areas would be possible in the Gaza Strip, for example by negotiating truces lasting a few hours. Denying access to a civilian population that is a victim of war is contrary to the public's right to information and an obstacle to the functioning of justice, which is based on the establishment of evidence".
 
Blaise Lempen, President of the Press Emblem Campaign

After a year of war, the eyes of the international media have not seen Gaza yet.

Ahmad Fayad - Solidarity Media Center - Khanyonis
 
For more than a year since the war of extermination, the Israeli government has repeatedly delayed explaining why it refuses to allow foreign journalists to enter the Gaza Strip independently.
 
Official Israeli statistics reveal that the world's interest in the Israeli war on Gaza Strip exceeded the interest in the Russian-Ukrainian war, which was covered by only 1,500 foreign journalists, while more than 4,000 foreign journalists arrived in Israel, all of whom were denied entry to Gaza and whose coverage of the war was limited to their presence in Israel itself. According to the Government Press Office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Israel received more than 4,000 foreign journalists from October 7, 2023 to April 7, 2024, to cover the Israeli war on Gaza.
 
Figures from the Government Press Office show that the United States sent the most reporters and journalists, with 824 reporters arriving in Israel, followed by Britain, which sent 595 reporters, then France, which sent 488, while the number of German reporters reached 170.
 
Israel's singularity
 
In order to receive this large number of foreign journalists, and to keep Israel's narrative singularity, the Government Press Office, as part of its "propaganda" media efforts, organized about 60 tours of the town of Sderot and the cooperative villages of Kfar Gaza, Nir Oz and Netiv Ha'Ashara. The office transmitted more than 500 hours of broadcasting from the field, in addition to organizing numerous briefings, press conferences and interviews.
 
The director of the Government Press Office, Nitzan Hen, confirms that the extensive media coverage of the "Iron Swords" war indicates the great importance of this event to the international community. The coverage, which was effective from the beginning, turned into a real media challenge for the office when the Israeli army carried out ground military manoeuvrers and deepened them in Gaza.
 
"The government office provided foreign journalists from the moment they were received until they left with all the information related to the atrocities, testimonies, photos and videos, all with the aim of proving the complete truth of the Israeli narrative during the war on international television screens everywhere in the world," he added.
 
Considering the Israeli statistics and the fact that foreign journalists are present just in Israel, despite the fact that the title of the war on all international television stations is “the war on Gaza,” it can be easily concluded that the war on Gaza was covered globally from one side, without allowing any international media representatives coming to Israel to reach the place where the war is taking place, where Gaza and its people are.
 
Government postponement
 
The Seventh Eye magazine website, which specializes in Israeli media affairs, believes that the Israeli government’s repeated postponement in disclosing the reason for its refusal to allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza Strip independently for more than a year indicates, in practical terms, that preventing foreign journalists from independent coverage is evidence that Israel has something to hide, which is likely to increase the level of harsh criticism against it.
 
In an attempt by the Foreign Press Association in Israel (FPA) to overcome the Israeli ban, the association submitted more than one petition to the Israeli Supreme Court to allow journalists to enter Gaza, but to no avail.
 
The first of these attempts was before the end of last year, when the association asked the Supreme Court to allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza Strip independently to cover what was happening there. At the time, the court's judges, Dafna Bark, Khaled Kaboub and Ruth Ronen, unanimously accepted the state's claim, which states that the entry of foreign journalists into Gaza poses a danger to their lives, just like the entry of Israeli soldiers, and rejected the petition in its entirety.
 
The justices accepted the state's argument that the state allows journalists to enter accompanied by security forces and a representative of the IDF Spokesperson, and added in their response to the petition, "In light of the complex security circumstances currently in place, and the real dangers associated with the possibility of granting independent permits to journalists, we consider the government's directive to be balanced and logical."
 
Another petition
 
On October 9,2024, the association returned and submitted a second petition through lawyers Gilad Shaar and Ron Greenwald, stating that the conditions in Gaza Strip had changed, including a decrease in the intensity of the war, and therefore the direction must be changed and journalists must be allowed to enter independently.
 
The petition points out that it is essential, especially in a region subject to great tension, that events receive independent and objective media coverage, carried out in a completely professional manner, at the time of their occurrence and from their original sources. This is for the public’s right to knowledge, in accordance with what is customary in a democratic and liberal state that allows the media freedom of movement, access to, presence in and coverage of the areas where events occur.
 
The petition, which was filed against Defense Minister Yoav Kalant, Southern Command Commander Yaron Fengelman, and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Brigadier General Ghassan Alian, stated that the Israeli army was treating them in an unacceptable manner.
 
“Over the course of nearly a year of war, foreign correspondents were allowed a small number of limited visits accompanied by security forces, while Israeli journalists from Israeli media outlets were allowed many visits to Gaza Strip, which indicates clear discrimination that is not based on any objective or real basis, and without taking into account the needs of the receiving public.”
 
Simultaneously with the submission of the second petition to the Supreme Court, the association received a response from the Coordination and Government Activities Office to a previous request submitted by the association in the same regard in August 2023, which stated, “In light of what is happening, the material and structural damage to the Erez Crossing and the threats surrounding it prevent those working there from work, in addition to the difficulty of maintaining the safety of journalists, as well as the difficulty of passing through Kerem Shalom in light of the ongoing war raging in Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, as there is a real security threat to freedom of movement between Israel and Gaza Strip for any purpose, especially with regard to the entry and exit of Israeli or foreign journalists into Gaza.”
 
The coordinator added that freedom of movement cannot be allowed at all, except for rare arrangements for humanitarian reasons, such as the entry of crews working in humanitarian and vital fields.
 
Based on the petition of the Foreign Journalists Association submitted on September 10, the Supreme Court judge asked the state to respond to the petition by October 10, 2024. However, two days before the Israeli government’s response, the government asked the court to extend the submission of its response to the petition until November 24, 2024, due to the concerned parties being busy responding to the petition of the Foreign Journalists Association. The association rejected this request and agreed that the extension would be until November 10, 2024 only, which was approved by Israeli Supreme Court Judge Solberg. Before the date set by the Supreme Court on November 10, 2024 to respond to the petition of the Foreign Journalists Association, the Israeli government submitted to the Supreme Court a request for an additional extension until November 28, 2024, in order to enable the concerned parties to formulate their position. The Supreme Court accepted this request and allowed the extension of the period.
 
The Seventh Eye website reported that the Foreign Journalists Association absolutely rejected the extension request, which came at the last minute, contrary to the date agreed upon with the Supreme Court, and believes that the State of Israel’s return to extending its response is unacceptable, and is a great disregard for the petition submitted by the Association, which it cannot accept or agree with.
 
Strange considerations
 
the website added that foreign journalists have pledged to stay in dangerous places, and pointed out that the real fear lies in the consequences of government decisions and the policy of prevention related to strange and unrealistic considerations, as if Israel is trying to hide what is happening in the Gaza Strip from the eyes of the international media.
 
The Association points out that the honourable court should have instructed the competent authorities to search for acceptable options, because the reporters and media representatives expressed their decisive agreement to bear the damage resulting from entering Gaza, in addition to taking full responsibility for their security safety resulting from their visit to Gaza.
 
Recently – early November 2024 – the Seventh Eye magazine website reported – based on documentation from a number of Israeli journalists who came to the borders of the northern Gaza Strip from the Israeli side – that the scenes of destruction there are difficult, and although the Israeli journalists arrived in coordination with the Israeli army and accompanied by its forces, they did not receive approval to tour the ground independently.
 
The website stated that journalists cannot conduct professional interviews with residents of the Gaza Strip while there are heavily armed Israeli soldiers around them.
 
The Israeli website also indicates that Gazan journalists are afraid to approach the northern Gaza Strip for fear of joining the convoy of 140 journalists who have been killed since the outbreak of the war. In addition, after a deadly year of war, journalists in Gaza are suffering from a severe shortage of the equipment needed to cover and document what is happening there.
 
According to the Seventh Eye, Gaza Strip journalists also suffer from a lack of access to the Internet, which allows broadcasting outside the Gaza Strip. In fact, a number of Gazan journalists expressed their despair of solving this problem.
 
Carlos Martins de la Serna, of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), warns of a “media vacuum” in the northern Gaza Strip.
 
The organization, which works for press freedom and the safety of journalists around the world, told Seventh Eye magazine that preventing foreign journalists from covering what is happening in the Gaza Strip indicates that war crimes may be occurring without coverage or documentation.
 
Gaza journalists
 
In contrast, according to documentation from the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, the number of Palestinian journalists working in Gaza and registered with the Syndicate is 1,300 journalists, of whom Israel killed 181 journalists, injured 394 journalists, and arrested 54 journalists, while about 200 journalists migrated to Egypt and other countries due to the war.
 
The remaining few, about (450) in Gaza, are suffering a life of displacement among tents and rubble, enduring the bitterness of life and lack of food, similar to the lives of displaced civilians.
 
The lack of equipment, its wear and tear, and the loss of communication with work abroad due to the weakness of the Internet and its frequent interruption are among the most prominent challenges of journalistic work in Gaza.
 
This situation led to the rise of many new journalists, many of whom had no professional experience, and the war of extermination forced them to move to work in the field, in addition to the transformation of assistants to reporters such as photographers, editors and producers into correspondents in a war that is considered one of the most brutal wars that the Palestinian people have been exposed to since the usurpation of their land in 1948.

Ahmed Fayyad   

23.11.2024. PAKISTAN. 11th journalist killed in Pakistan, PEC expresses concern Geneva: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expresses serious concern over continued killing of journalists in Pakistan as another scribe lost his life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bordering Afghanistan. Janan Hussain (40) became one of the 42 Shiite Muslims who were ambushed and killed by gunmen in Kurram locality on 20 November. Hussain worked for a local media outlet Channel 365 and he was associated with Parachinar Press Club. He is the 11th media worker to be killed in Pakistan this year till date.

“Janan Hussain becomes the 129th journo-victim globally since 1 January and it’s a matter of serious concern that in most of the cases the impunity to perpetrators is almost guaranteed. The responsible Pakistani authorities must investigate into the incident that led to the untimely demise of Hussain, who left behind young kids, and punish the culprits as early as possible,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC, adding that the heavy toll of media employees in Pakistan even when it’s not in a war is really shocking.

With Nava Thakuria, PEC's South Asia Representative

 
Geneva: Expressing serious concern over the murder of another journalist in Bangladesh, the global media safety and rights body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) urged the authorities to punish the culprits and adequately compensate the victim’s family. Senior journalist Swapan Kumar Bhadra (photo), who worked for many Bengali newspapers like Dainik Swajan, Ajker Khabar and Khabar Patra, was hacked to death on 12 October 2024 by three miscreants in front of his residence at Majhipara in Mymensingh locality of the south Asian nation.

Currently, Bhadra (65) was not writing for any newspaper, but the former vice-president of Tarakanda Press Club remained active on social media where he highlighted various pertinent issues like terrorism, drug-menace and anti-social activities. The local police have already arrested a youth named Sagar Miyan and continued the search for the two others. The outspoken media person has left behind his wife, two sons and a daughter with other close relatives.
“Bangladesh adds another journalist to the list of journo-victims which has already reached 110 until now this year across the globe. We condemn the incident and urge the interim government head Prof Muhammad Yunus to take personal interest in delivering justice to the bereaved family as early as possible,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (www.pressemblem.ch), adding that the populous country had recently lost five journalists to assailants in the anti-Sheikh Hasina government agitation.

PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that Bangladesh witnessed the murder of six media persons namely Hasan Mehedi, Shakil Hossain, Abu Taher Md Turab, Tahir Zaman Priyo, Pradip Kumar Bhowmik and Tanjil Jahan Islam Tamim till date this year. Another south Asian nation Pakistan lost ten scribes namely Nisar Lehri, Muhammad Bachal Ghunio, Malik Hassan Zaib, Khalil Afridi Jibran, Nasrullah Gadani, Kamran Dawar, Mehar Ashfaq Siyal, Maulana Mohammad Siddique Mengal, Jam Saghir Ahmad Lar and Tahira Nosheen Rana to assiansts since 1 January.Nouveau paragraphe

12.10.2024. BANGLADESH. PEC demands probe into murder of Bangla media person

With Nava Thakuria, PEC's South Asia Representative

Geneva: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expressed shock over the murder of Bangladeshi media person Tanjil Jahan Islam Tamim (photo, 33) and demanded a fair probe into the incident to identify and punish the perpetrators under the law. The victim’s family members informed that Tanjil had property disputes with a real estate group and they might be involved with the killing of Deepto Television employee on 10 October 2024 at Hatirjheel area of Dhaka. The Bangla police have so far arrested five individuals.

“Until now in 2024, a heavy toll of 109 journalists has been killed around the world. Regarding Tanjil Jahan Islam Tamim, it’s not established by facts that he was targeted for his journalistic works. But even though PEC condemns the incident and pursues a high level probe to unearth the reason behind the murder. We hope that the interim government head Prof Muhammad Yunus will take interest in solving the mystery and punish the criminals,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (www.pressemblem.ch), adding that the south Asian nation recently lost five journalists during the anti-government outrages.

PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that Bangladesh witnessed the murder of journalists Hasan Mehedi, Shakil Hossain, Abu Taher Md Turab, Tahir Zaman Priyo and Pradip Kumar Bhowmik in July and August. India lost Ashutosh Shrivastava, Shivshankar Jha and Salman Ali Khan to assailants till date this year. However, ten Pakistani scribes namely Nisar Lehri, Muhammad Bachal Ghunio, Malik Hassan Zaib, Khalil Afridi Jibran, Nasrullah Gadani, Kamran Dawar, Mehar Ashfaq Siyal, Maulana Mohammad Siddique Mengal, Jam Saghir Ahmad Lar and Tahira Nosheen Rana were killed since 1 January. 

06.10.2024. ISRAEL/GAZA STRIP/LEBANON. IN ONE YEAR A RECORD NUMBER OF JOURNALISTS KILLED WITH IMPUNITY.

At least 145 journalists and media workers, all but five of them were Palestinians, have been killed since the Hamas attack, October 7, 2023. All of the killings, except two Israeli journalists killed by Hamas October 7, were carried out by Israeli forces. Media infrastructure has been shattered by Israeli airstrikes and no newsrooms are left standing in Gaza.

According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, 21 local radio stations, 15 local and international news agencies, 15 TV stations, 6 local newspapers, 3 broadcasting towers, eight print media and 13 media institutions have been destroyed. For a year, only local journalists have been able to report the devastation of Gaza, because of the Israeli government’s policies and its ban on foreign media in the Gaza Strip.

"We are dismayed by this tragic outcome. Journalists are civilians who must be protected under international law", stressed PEC President Blaise Lempen in Geneva.

"This is a very bad precedent and those responsible must absolutely be held accountable", he added.

Among the most recent victims is Palestinian journalist and activist Wafa Aludaini (second from left on photo), killed along with her family in an Israeli air strike last Monday. According to the Palestinian Information Centre, her husband Munir and her two children, Balsam and Tamim, were also killed in the air strike on their home in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza.

“The occupation forces assassinated journalist Wafa Aludaini, a prominent activist in conveying the Palestinian narrative to the foreign media,” said the Forum of Palestinian Journalists (FPJ). The FPJ pointed out that journalist Aludaini devoted her life to conveying the suffering of her oppressed people through international and Palestinian media, especially through her involvement in writing articles in English, conducting interviews with foreign activists, and holding online conferences and different activities in the English language.

"We cannot prove that these victims were deliberately targeted by the Israeli army, but independent investigations are essential to shed light on these war crimes", said PEC President.

Consult the list of victims on CASUALTIES.

25.09.2024. LEBANON. Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is very worried by the killing of two more journalists in southern Lebanon

Journalist Hadi Al-Sayed (photo), who worked for the Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadeen, succumbed to his injuries on 23 September after his home in southern Lebanon was hit by an Israeli airstrike, in the deadliest day for the country since 2006. Al-Sayed is the fourth journalist to be killed by Israel in Lebanon since the war in Gaza started on 7 October 2023. PEC fears more casualties as conflict escalates in Lebanon. The attack on his home in southern Lebanon occurred during an Israeli offensive that claimed more than 500 lives.

Ghassan bin Jiddo, director of the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen, labeled these strikes as “direct attacks,” following the channel’s blacklisting by Israel for allegedly “serving enemy interests during wartime.”

The killing of journalists has drawn significant scrutiny, especially after separate investigations found that Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah was deliberately targeted by Israeli tank shelling in October while covering cross-border clashes in southern Lebanon.

Independent inquiries by Reuters, AFP, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Reporters Without Borders concluded that the attack on Abdallah and other media personnel was a deliberate violation of international law. These organizations have since called for a war crimes investigation.

Since the conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, according to PEC figures, Israel is responsible for the deaths of more than 130 journalists, with actual numbers potentially higher.

On 25 September an Israeli strike killed cameraman Kamal Karaki of Al-Manar TV.

"These indiscriminate attacks against civilians must stop", says PEC President Blaise Lempen in Geneva.

23.09.2024. INDIA: PEC demands justice to slain Indian journalist Salman Ali Khan

With Nava Thakuria, PEC's South Asia Representative

Geneva: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights expressed shock over the killing of journalist Salman Ali Khan (photo)  in Madhya Pradesh of central India and demanded a fair probe into the murder so that the perpetrators can be booked under the law.

The Rajgarh-based local television reporter was targeted by unidentified gunmen in the evening hours of 17 September. The local police guess it as a result of personal disputes between the victim and one Shahrukh.

“India continues to be a dangerous country for working journalists after Pakistan in the region, where the media persons are regularly attacked and the perpetrators often get impunity. Earlier, the country lost journalist Shivshankar Jha to the assailants on 25 June in Muzaffarpur locality of Bihar. We condemn the murder of all journalists including Salman Ali Khan and demand adequate compensation to all the victim families,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (www.pressemblem.ch).

PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria revealed that India lost television journalist Ashutosh Shrivastava on 13 May, who was shot dead in Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, Pakistan witnessed the murder of journalists namely Nisar Lehri, Muhammad Bachal Ghunio, Malik Hassan Zaib, Khalil Afridi Jibran, Nasrullah Gadani, Kamran Dawar, Mehar Ashfaq Siyal, Maulana Mohammad Siddique Mengal, Jam Saghir Ahmad Lar and Tahira Nosheen Rana till date this year.

12.09.2024. BANGLADESH. PEC appreciates Dhaka for considering a media commission

With Nava Thakuria, PEC' South Asia reprenative

Geneva: After putting numerous troubles for professional media persons in Bangladesh with brutal laws at the background of relentless socio-political turmoil in the last few decades, the current interim government in Dhaka, headed by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus (photo), starts actively considering setting up a media commission to ensure press freedom and accountability in the south Asian nation, which was born in 1971. 

While addressing the nation of 170 million people on 11 September 2024, Prof Yunus stated that the freedom of expression is guaranteed in the Constitution of Bangladesh. The government must respect everyone’s opinions even with critical views, added the octogenarian academician turned banker turned social enterprise preacher. The Geneva-based global media safety and rights body Press Emblem Campaign (https://pressemblem.ch/) lauds the initiative of Prof Yunus-led caretaker government.

“A media commission functions as an independent statutory media regulatory body for a nation. The commission usually promotes and safeguards the freedom and independence of the media outlets. Moreover, it investigates, mediates and also settles complaints made against the media houses,” said PEC president Blaise Lempen, adding that the proposed media commission will help Dhaka to register, regulate and also monitor various activities of media organizations.

Bangladesh witnessed a month-long unrest beginning the middle of July following which the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina had to resign and flee the country on 5 August. The political turmoil resulted in the death of five working journalists and injuries to hundreds of other media workers. PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that Hasan Mehedi, Tahir Zaman Priyo, Shakil Hossain, Abu Taher Md Turab and Pradip Kumar Bhowmik died while reporting the violent agitation from the ground.

04.09.2024. Pakistan loses 10^th journalist to assailants this year, PEC expresses serious concern

With Nava Thakuria, PEC's South Asia representative

Geneva: Pakistan has slowly turned into a graveyard of working journalists as the south Asian nation loses another journalist, tenth victim this year till date, to assailants. Local media reports confirm that senior journalist Nisar Lehri was shot dead on 4 September 2024 in Mastung locality of Balochistan. Lehri (50), a member of Mastung press club, was targeted by armed miscreants for reasons not officially disclosed.

Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expresses serious concern over the continued killing of media persons in Pakistan even though it’s not witnessing any war at this moment. PEC president Blaise Lempen demands a fair probe into the incident that led to Lehri’s untimely death. For any reason, the perpetrators should not enjoy immunity and they must be booked under the law of the land, asserted Lempen.

PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria reveals that only a few days back, another Pak journalist named Muhammad Bachal Ghunio was killed by unidentified gunmen. Hailing from Mirpur Mathelo locality under Sindh province, Ghunio was shot dead on 27 August. Prior to them, eight journalists namely Malik Hassan Zaib, Khalil Afridi Jibran, Nasrullah Gadani, Kamran Dawar, Mehar Ashfaq Siyal, Maulana Mohammad Siddique Mengal, Jam Saghir Ahmad Lar and Tahira Nosheen Rana were killed since 1 January.

23.08.2024. MYANMAR. PEC condemns Myanmar militaries for killing two more reporters

With Nava Thakuria, PEC' South Asia Representative

Geneva: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, strongly condemns the killing of two reporters  during a military raid in Mon State of Myanmar and demands a fair probe to the incident that led to the death of Htet Myat Thu and Win Htut Oo on 21 August 2024. Burmese media outlets reported that the junta soldiers raided the house of Htet Myat Thu (27) in Kyaikto township on Wednesday in search of pro-democracy armed insurgents, but ended up indiscriminately firing that seemingly killed the reporter with ‘Voice of Thanbyuzayat’. Win Htut Oo (28), a freelance contributor to the Democratic Voice of Burma (a broadcast news agency) was also killed in the incident.

“Myanmar remains one of the most dangerous countries for media workers. The military ruled southeast Asian nation earlier witnessed the death of journalist Myat Thu Tun due to military atrocities this year. We urge the military chief Min Aung Hlaing to take serious note over the Kyaikto incident and book the soldiers found to be responsible for the killing of Htet Myat Thu and Win Htut Oo,” said PEC president Blaise Lempen, adding that all bereaved families of journo-victims must be adequately compensated by the military authorities. 

PEC’s southeast Asian representative Nava Thakuria revealed that since the current military group seized political power from the Aung San Suu Kyi-led elected government in Naypyidaw through a coup on 1 February 2021, most of the Burmese journalists fled the country. The junta had arrested 175 journalists in the last three years and 50 still remain in military custody. In the last incident, the brutal armed forces even did not hand over the bodies to their relatives but cremated urgently at Taunggalay cemetery, added the representative.

09.08.2024. BANGLADESH. 5 journalists killed in Bangladesh turmoil, PEC demands fair probes in each case

With Nava Thakuria, PEC' South Asia Representative

Geneva: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expresses shock and serious concern over the fact that a number of working journalists were killed in the recent past across Bangladesh, as the south Asian nation witnessed a massive anti-government protests that snatched away the lives of over 300 Bangla nationals including a large number of students and young people.

The political unrest for many weeks even compelled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee from Dhaka to take shelter in neighbouring India, from where she may leave to a third country which is yet to be disclosed. Currently an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has taken the charge with an aim to conduct a fresh national election within three months and hand over the power to the winning party leaders.

The nationwide anti-quota movement in government jobs had already taken the life of Hasan Mehedi, who worked for Bangla digital media outlet Dhaka Times, as he was covering the clashes erupted between the police forces and agitating students at Jatrabari area of Dhaka on 18 July 2024. He becomes the first journalist to be killed reportedly this year in Bangladesh and 72nd journo-victim across the world since 1 January. The same day, another journalist named Shakil Hossain, who worked for Daily Bhorer Awaj newspaper, was killed while reporting the turmoil in Gazipur locality.

On 19 July, Abu Taher Md Turab, who was associated with Daily Naya Diganta newspaper, received bullet injuries as the police fired on a procession in Sylhet and later succumbed to injuries. Photo journalist named Tahir Zaman Priyo was also shot dead in Dhaka on the same day. Later on 4 August, Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, who worked for Daily Khoborpatra was killed in Sirajganj by a mob as he was covering the protests that turned violent.

“PEC demands fair probes into every incident that led to the killing of all the Bangladeshi journalists within a few weeks. We come to know that over a hundred media workers sustained injuries while reporting from the ground as the police personnel were joined by goons of the ruling party to attack them. The journalists in Bangladesh continue working in an adverse situation and the authorities must take precautions to safeguard the media persons on duty. The new regime in Dhaka should also compensate the bereaved families,” said PEC president Blaise Lempen.

PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that the internet connection remains restricted in Bangladesh that has affected gathering adequate information about any other journo-victims in that country. Its neighbor India witnessed the killing of two journalists namely Shivshankar Jha and Ashutosh Shrivastava. On the other hand, Pakistan lost eight journalists namely Hassan Zaib, Khalil Afridi Jibran, Nasrullah Gadani, Kamran Dawar, Mehar Ashfaq Siyal, Maulana Mohammad Siddique Mengal, Jam Saghir Ahmad Lar and Tahira Nosheen Rana to assailants this year.