India ranked Asia's deadliest nation for media personnel

Indian media personnel counted nine among 110 journalists killed around the world in 2015, a media watchdog group said today. That means the country is ‘Asia's deadliest country’ for media people, ahead of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In its annual report, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said 9 Indian journalists were murdered in 2015, some of whom were reporting on organized crime. It also said five were killed in course of their job, and four more for unknown reasons.

"Their deaths confirm India's position as Asia's deadliest country for media personnel, ahead of both Pakistan and Afghanistan," RSF said.

"The inadequacy of the Indian authorities' response is reinforcing the climate of impunity for violence against journalists," it said.

Noting that it had urged the Indian government to establish "a national plan for protecting journalists", the watchdog said, "a response that matches the scale of the threats to journalists is now essential."

RSF also said 67 journalists were killed while on duty and another 43 died in mysterious circumstances.

US-based Committee to Protect Journalists has said that Syria, France and Brazil are the top three deadliest countries for journalists.