Subject: CPJ Responds to Coverage about Journalists Killed in Russia [re JRL #44]
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008
From: "Abi Wright" <AWright@cpj.org>
March 17, 2008
Dear David:
Recent coverage distributed by Johnson’s Russia List appears to question the motivation of the Committee to Protect Journalists in pointing out that Russia is the world’s third deadliest country for the press. We‘d like to respond.
CPJ also identifies countries such as the Philippines and Colombia, two strong U.S. allies, as among the deadliest for the press. They are fourth and fifth, right behind Russia. Iraq is the world’s deadliest country for journalists in the aftermath of the U.S. invasion.
The coverage seems to suggest that CPJ unfairly considers events such as car accidents to be work-related deaths for Russia. CPJ does list one Russian case involving a car, but it was not an accident by any reasonable definition. In 2005, television cameraman Pavel Makeev was struck by car as he was filming illegal street racing. Blood evidence shows his body was dragged 50 feet from the point of impact; the absence of tire marks shows the driver did not attempt to brake. Makeev’s video camera and cell phone were taken. No one notified police of this "accident."
CPJ has highlighted Russia, as it has the Philippines and Colombia, not only because of the number of murders but because of these nations’ inability to successfully prosecute these cases. Russia has gained convictions in one journalist murder out of 14 since 2000. The Philippines and Colombia have had similarly deficient records.
Journalist deaths are, of course, not the only measure of press freedom. That’s why CPJ has spoken out against censorship in Burma and North Korea, and court harassment of the press in the United States and Brazil.
But the recurring murders of journalists and the failure of authorities in Russia, the Philippines, and Colombia to prosecute the killers is a fundamental attack on the right of all people to receive and impart information freely.
Our research on journalist murders in Russia and countries around the world is available on our Web site, www.cpj.org.
Sincerely,
Joel Simon
Executive Director
Committee to Protect Journalists
Abi Wright
Communications Director
Committee to Protect Journalists
212-465-1004, x105
www.cpj.org.
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