Iraq the Most Deadly Journalistic Global Assignment; “Stay Away” Says Chirac

Philip Stone updated January 9, 2005

The Iraq war and its aftermath claimed 61 deaths through the end of 2004 and more news media were killed in 2004 globally than any time since 1994, according to the International News Safety Institute (INSI).
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And now with the disappearance of a Liberation reporter Florence Aubenas and her translator, French President Jacques Chirac has warned French journalists they should stay away from Iraq, saying that their security cannot be assured. Earlier this year two French journalists were kidnapped and released after four months of captivity. France denied it paid a ransom.

In Iraq 42 news media staff, including journalists, and support staff such as translators and drivers, died violently in 2004. All but six were Iraqi.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported January 5th that 2004 was the most deadly year for journalists in a decade.

Globally 117 journalists and support staff were killed in 2004. After Iraq the most dangerous places for journalists were The Philippines (12 dead), India (8), Mexico, Brazil and Bangladesh (5), Nepal and Russia (4), Colombia and Sri Lanka (3) and Nicaragua, Peru, Palestine, and Romania (2 each).

Gunfire, direct or indirect, accounted for 70 of the deaths, followed by bombings (17). Accidents such as car crashes claimed 15 lives.

Figures tabulated by INSI and RSF differ. According to the RSF report 53 journalists were killed worldwide and 31 in Iraq, including support staff.

Many international news organizations have adopted policies of not sending correspondents or crew to Iraq, and instead are depending on freelancers. But INSI notes that most of the journalists and staff killed were not international war correspondents but rather locals.

French Reporters Released, Two Still Missing

After more than 100 days held hostage in Iraq, Georges Malbrunot and Christian Chesnot were released December 21st. Islamic militants shuttled the two journalists among different cells, leading speculation that they were being “traded” as French government negotiated for their release.

Malbrunot is a free-lance correspondent for Le Figero and Chesnot works for Radio France Internationale. Their Syrian driver was also kidnapped, later released in November.

Upon hearing of Aubenas’ disappearance Malbrunot said, “It seems to me extremely, extremely risky, especially given the work conditions now. Not going out of a hotel room – is that really getting informed?”

ITV cameraman Frederic Nerac remains listed as missing, though presumed dead. Nerac has been missing since March 2003 when he, ITV correspondent Terry Lloyd and translator Hussein Osman came under fire from American and Iraqi forces. Lloyd and Osman were killed outright, though Osman’s body was not immediately recovered.

Iraqi cameraman Isam Hadi Muhin Al-Shumary, working for German producer Suedostmedia, went missing near Falluja August 15th.

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French Journalist Florence Aubenas and Hussein Hanoun al-Saadi Are Freed - June 12, 2005

text of EBU press release

The  secretary general of the European Broadcasting Union, Jean Réveillon, speaking on behalf of the union’s 72 Members, welcomed the freeing of French journalist Florence Aubenas and her Iraqi interpreter Hussein Hanoun al-Saadi after more than five months of captivity in Iraq.

“We are all delighted to learn that our colleagues Florence Aubenas and Hussein Hanoun al-Saadi are now free and safe. The EBU called for their liberation on several occasions and repeatedly stressed that no journalist should ever become victim of his or her profession,” he said.

The EBU, together with some 30 media organizations, called for their liberation during the European Council in March and also endorsed an appeal for the freeing of all journalists held hostage in Iraq at the meeting of its Administrative Council in Bucharest on 19 May.

Light in the Dusky Afternoon - February 14, 2005

The esteemed playwright Arthur Miller died at the end of a week that also claimed lives of journalists in Iraq and Somalia. The week also ended the career of CNNs head of international news.