In 2003, 36 journalists were killed around the world as a consequence of their news gathering efforts, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The New York City non-profit organization reported at the beginning of the year that 17 more journalists died last year than in 2002. The group pointed to the war in Iraq as being chiefly responsible for the upturn in journalist deaths. Thirteen journalists were killed in hostile actions in Iraq.
Not since 1995, have more journalists died in a single country in one year, the organization said. That year, 24 journalists lost their lives while covering the civil strife in Algeria between the government and Islamist militants.
"The war that began in March posed many hazards for journalists, but seasoned war correspondents tell us that even in the post-war period Iraq remains the most dangerous assignment they have ever had," said CPJ executive director Ann Cooper.
