Growing number of killings of journalists
17.6.2015
Question for written answer E-009904-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE)
A few days ago, a local journalist was burned alive in India after exposing an Indian politician’s involvement in corruption and land grabbing. This is the latest brutal killing of a media representative, and the global number of such killings for 2015 has now exceeded 50.
According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), at least 250 journalists were killed worldwide in 2013 and 2014 while on the job or as a result of their work. A large proportion of them had been targeted previously. An increasing number of female journalists have suffered violence, with a large part falling victim to sex crimes and discrimination.
The most deadly place is Syria, but the IFJ has also called on countries such as the Philippines, Pakistan and Iraq ‘to take drastic measures to stop the bloodshed of media personnel’.
— Is the Commission aware of the growing number of killings of journalists?
— What measures does the Commission intend to take to protect media personnel working in areas of conflict around the world?
— What measures does the Commission intend to take to protect investigative journalists from abuse?