Iran Press/America: Four journalists, as well as a sales assistant, were killed in June when a gunman opened fire at the Annapolis, Md. offices of the Capital Gazette. Two other journalists, a North Carolina television anchor and cameraman, were killed by a falling tree while covering a hurricane in May, the Hill reported.
Overall, more journalists were killed, abused and subjected to violence in 2018 than in any other year on record, according to the report, which added that reporters are facing an “unprecedented level of hostility."
Murder, imprisonment, hostage-taking and enforced disappearances of journalists all increased compared to last year.
A total of 80 journalists were killed in 2018, with 49 murdered or deliberately targeted while 31 were killed while reporting. The report partially blames bombings and shootings targeting the media in Afghanistan with the increase in deaths, 45 percent of those killed were not in conflict zones.
Violence against journalists has reached unprecedented levels this year, and the situation is now critical, Reporters Without Borders Secretary General Christophe Deloire said in a press release.
The hatred of journalists that is voiced, and sometimes very openly proclaimed, by unscrupulous politicians, religious leaders and businessmen has tragic consequences on the ground, and has been reflected in this disturbing increase in violations against journalists, he added.
While joining ranks of world's most dangerous places for journalists, the US has closed eyes to the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The October murder of Saudi journalist, Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post who resided in Virginia, in Istanbul sparked international outrage. The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman, ordered the hit as part of his crackdown on dissent.
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US president, Donald Trump, escalated attacks on media and labeled reporters "enemies of the people".
Donald Trump’s attacks on the media have been condemned by experts at the United Nations, who warned that the US president’s vitriolic rhetoric could result in violence against journalists.
During a press conference at the White House on November, a combative Trump allowed CNN's Jim Acosta to ask his question only to cut him off shortly after and branding the journalist an "enemy of the people."
White House suspended the press pass of Jim Acosta. A federal judge then ordered the White House to reinstate the press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta. 101/202/211
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