Sixty-seven members of the press were killed in 2022, the highest number since 2018, according to the annual report from the Committee to Protect Journalists.
More than 60%, or at least 41 journalists, were assassinated in retribution for their work. The CPJ is looking into the other 26 cases to determine a motive.
The coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as violence in Latin America contributed to the overall number of journalist deaths, which was about 50% higher than in 2021.
In just three nations—Ukraine (15), Mexico (13), and Haiti (7)—more than half of all murders in 2022 took place; this represents the greatest year totals for these nations since CPJ started accumulating data in 1992.
Since 1992, there have been 151 murders of journalists in Mexico, according to researchers. With Russia, Syria, the Philippines, Iraq, Somalia, Colombia, Brazil, Algeria, and other countries, it has one of the largest totals in the world.
“It’s unclear how many people were specifically targeted because of their jobs in a nation plagued by organized crime and corruption. Press personnel in Mexico are dealing with a predicament that is unheard of outside of war zones “The CPJ reported.
Following the murder of former President Jovenel Mose in 2021, gang violence and civic turmoil in Haiti have recently erupted. Since then, the nation has not chosen a new leader.
Each of Chile, Brazil, and Colombia lost four journalists.