#29 - JRL 2008-58 - JRL Home
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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