’09 breaks record for journalist killings

NEW YORK – The November massacre of 30 media workers in the Philippines made 2009 the deadliest year ever for journalists, according to a report by a press advocacy group.

The Committee to Protect Journalists says in a report to be released today that at least 68 journalists were killed in 2009, a 60 percent increase over 2008, when 42 deaths were recorded.

“What stands out is that three quarters are killed deliberately for their work, and in 85 percent of these cases no one is brought to justice,” CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “This has a poisonous effect on good journalism.”