CPJ: RP, Russia worst in solving media killings

MANILA, Philippines - While Iraq kept its tag as the deadliest nation for the press, the Philippines and Russia were branded the "worst" in solving press-related killings in a media watchdog group's list. This was the gist of the yearend analysis of New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) dated December 18 and posted on its website Friday (Manila time). "CPJ research over 17 years shows that the Philippines and Russia have been among the deadliest nations for the press—and among the worst in solving the murders," CPJ said of the Philippines and Russia. On several occasions this year, the CPJ egged the Philippine government to bring the perpetrators of killings against media workers to justice. CPJ has also undertaken an international campaign to seek justice in journalist murders, focusing particularly on the Philippines and Russia. In its yearend analysis, CPJ noted 11 were deaths recorded in Iraq in 2008 - "while a sharp drop from prior years, remained among the highest annual tolls in CPJ history." On the other hand, CPJ said 41 journalists worldwide were killed in direct connection to their work in 2008, down from 65 last year. But the CPJ said it is also investigating another 22 deaths to determine whether they were work-related. Also, CPJ said the 2008 death toll reflected a shift in global hot spots, as high numbers of deaths were reported in restive areas of Asia and the Caucasus. "Conflicts in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and India together claimed the lives of 13 journalists, CPJ found. Abdul Samad Rohani, a correspondent for the BBC and the Pajhwok Afghan News service, was slain in Afghanistan's Helmand province, in the dangerous area bordering Pakistan, after reporting on the local drug trade," it said. It added three reporters were killed in civil strife in Thailand. Another three died in just five days of fighting between Georgian, Russian, and local forces over the disputed region of South Ossetia. More than 90 percent of those killed were local journalists covering the news for local, regional, and international news outlets, it added. CPJ said murder remained the leading cause of work-related deaths, noting 28 of those killed in 2008 were targeted. "Two Philippine radio journalists, Dennis Cuesta and Martin Roxas, were slain in 2008 after reporting on local controversies," it said. In its Dec. 18 analysis, the CPJ listed 41 work-related deaths but is still investigating at least 22 other cases to check if they are work-related. CPJ said it expects to update the status of the 22 "unconfirmed" cases by January 2009. For the Philippines, the CPJ listed two media killings that it "confirmed" were related to the victims' work. These include: • Dennis Cuesta, DXMD, died Aug. 9, in General Santos City. Two motorcycle-riding gunmen fired several shots at Cuesta, a program director and anchor, on a public street on August 4. Cuesta died five days later. • Martin Roxas, DYVR, died Aug. 7 in Roxas City. Two men shot Roxas in the back as he drove his motorcycle from DYVR in Roxas City. Denevin Macaranas, at the time a news executive at Radio Mindanao Network which includes DYVR, said Roxas had been threatened in relation to his work. The CPJ said it is still "investigating" three cases to see if they were work-related. These include: • Benefredo Acabal, The Filipino Newsmen, killed April 7 in Pasig City. An unidentified gunman shot Acabal, 34, several times at close range. Acabal wrote a column for Cavite-based local newspaper "The Filipino Newsmen" but is reportedly also involved in the trucking business. • Arecio Padrigao, DXRS, killed November 17 in Gingoog. A motorcycle-riding gunman shot Padrigao outside Bukidnon State University in Misamis Oriental province. CPJ is investigating reports that Padrigao had received recent death threats in connection with his radio program. The commentator is a blocktimer on the station. • Leo Mila, Radyo Natin, killed Dec. 2, in San Roque in Northern Samar. Employees alerted police after hearing gunfire and finding Mila's abandoned motorcycle still running outside. Mila's body was found with multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. - GMANews.TV