According to the Media Federation, 45 journalists were killed in 2021

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported on Friday that 45 journalists and media professionals were slain in 20 countries in 2021, calling it "one of the lowest death tolls" it has seen since the organisation began keeping track.

According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), this is a decrease from the 65 killings reported last year in 2020. A total of 2721 journalists have been slain around the world since 1991.

The figure is one of the lowest since the International Federation of Journalists began publishing annual statistics on journalists died in work-related incidents, including as targeted killings, crossfire fatalities, and bomb assaults, according to an IFJ statement.

With 20 deaths, the Asia Pacific region leads the regional list, followed by the Americas (ten), Africa (eight), Europe (six), and the Middle East and Arab World (one). In Iran, there was also a fatal accident that claimed the lives of two journalists.

While this drop is encouraging, it provides little consolation in the face of ongoing violence that has claimed the lives of journalists in Afghanistan (9), Mexico, and other nations (8). Violence was also reported in several South Asian countries, notably Pakistan.

"This also provides further evidence for a recurring finding in these publications that more journalists and media workers more often than not are killed for exposing corruption, crime and abuse of power in their communities, cities and countries," read the statement.

It also stated that the risks linked with armed conflict have decreased in recent years as a result of limited exposure for media professionals who are covering close-ups from war zones becoming increasingly rare.

At the same time, dangers of criminal gangs and drug cartels ruling from Mexico's slums to the streets of European towns like Greece and the Netherlands are on the rise, with several targeted killings of journalists expected in 2021, according to the statement.

"These 45 colleagues we lost to violence this year remind us of the terrible sacrifice journalists across the world continue to pay for serving the public interest and we remain in the debt to them and thousands of others who paid the ultimate price," said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger.

"The IFJ believes that the only tribute fit for the cause to which they gave their lives should be an unrelenting pursuit for justice to them. That's why we continue to advocate for the adoption of a new United Nations Convention for the protection of journalists which would ensure accountability for journalists' killings."