50 Journalists Killed in 1996, Group Says

At least 50 journalists were killed while on assignment in 1996, the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists said. The IFJ, which says it is the world’s largest journalists organization, urged employers and governments to play a more active role in protecting and supporting journalists at risk. “Publishers like the glamour and circulation-building strength of investigative journalism, but are not always willing to assume the responsibility for the safety of their journalists,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said in a statement. The IFJ called for an international code of practice among media professionals to ensure that life insurance, medical assistance, risk-awareness training and social protection are provided for journalists. More than 60 journalists were killed in 1995. In 1994, 115 journalists were killed. More than half of the deaths were the result of genocide in Rwanda and fighting in Algeria.