In Mexico 12 journalists have been murdered since the beginning of 2011, nine of them in just the last three months. A United Nations’ official says that 30 journalists have been killed in Latin America this year, which he characterized as "disturbing." Other Latin countries dangerous for reporters include Honduras, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.
Worldwide, 78 journalists have been murdered this year. Pakistan is the second most dangerous country, followed by Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and Somalia. The U.N. committee says that "the majority of the murdered journalists were selectively targeted for execution, and very rarely have the parties responsible been held legally accountable."
The independent international organization Reporters Without Borders agrees with the U.N. stats, and estimates that since the year 2000, about 80 Mexican journalists have been murdered in retaliation for their work.
Although the U.N. effort is commendable, one part of its plan – if implemented – would surely prove disastrous. The committee is promoting a special badge which journalists would actually wear while on duty, purportedly to protect them. In Mexico, and no doubt in some Middle Eastern countries, that would be like walking around with a bright red "X" on the back of one’s shirt, together with the words "Aim Here." All journalists carry press badges to display when they’re on duty, but they also know when to tuck those away in a pocket or the camera bag. Sometimes it’s safer just to blend in with the crowd and not call attention to one’s occupation.
Read about this case of a woman journalist in Veracruz who paid with her life last July.
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