According to a new report International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) which was released yesterday, Friday, ahead of today’s World Human Rights Day.

IFJ notes that 67 media workers have been killed in targeted attacks at work this year, up from 47 in 2021, reversing the downward trend seen in recent years.

“The rise in the number of murders of journalists and other media workers is a serious cause for concern and a wake-up call for governments around the world to take action to protect journalism, one of the main pillars of democracy,” said the Secretary General. IFJ Anthony Belanger in a post issued by IFJ.

War in Ukrainepolitical unrest in Haitias well as the activities of criminal organizations in Mexico are factors that have greatly contributed to the increase in this number, explains IFJ, which is headquartered in Brussels and represents some 600,000 journalists in 146 countries.

The International Federation of Journalists also warns of an increase in violence against journalists in Colombiawhich threatens to make the South American country “again a death zone for journalists and media workers, and destroys prospects for press freedom after a political settlement to end decades of bloody civil war.”

Overall this year, according to IFJ, the country with the highest loss of media workers was Ukraine, with 12 deaths, while North and South America were the deadliest regions with 29 deaths.

The IFJ report, which was released on the eve of UN International Human Rights Day, also shows “political repression has increased alarmingly” in 2022 as at least 375 media workers – 10 more than last year – are now in jail for doing my job. Most of them are located in China, Myanmar, Turkey, Iran and Belarus.

“These numbers are grim news and raise serious doubts about the political will on the part of governments to deal with such serious threats to press freedom,” Belanger said.

Therefore, the International Federation of Journalists is calling on the international community to take “immediate action” to protect journalists around the world.

“Inaction will only strengthen those who seek to stifle the free flow of information and undermine the ability of people to hold their leaders to account, including by ensuring that those with power and influence do not stand in the way of open and inclusive societies,” he said. Belanger. concludes.