Report: 2014 marks deadly year for journalists

New York – At least 60 journalists were killed worldwide in 2014, according to a report from the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Journalists were killed in at least 21 countries or territories, with Syria (17 deaths) proving to be the most dangerous. The committee added that it is working to determine whether the deaths of 18 other journalists across the globe were work-related.

International journalists accounted for 23 percent of the deaths, which was more than double the annual rate of about 1 in 10, according to the report. Local journalists covering stories within their borders comprised 77 percent of the deaths.

Journalists killed in 2014 most commonly worked in the following roles:

• Broadcast reporter (35 percent)
• Camera operator (27 percent)
• Photographer (27 percent)
• Print reporter/writer (22 percent)

Besides Syria, the most dangerous countries included Iraq and Ukraine, with five deaths apiece. Among the 60 killed were U.S. journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, who were abducted and murdered in Syria by members of the Islamic State militant group.