Revisiting the Press Club , Mumbai Elections 2006

We are posting the list of candidates put up by the Forum For Democracy And Development (FDD) in the last elections of the Press Club, Mumbai , held in the year 2006. Alongwith it , we are also posting the FDD Election manifesto for that elections and a separate appeal issued by its presidential candidate , Pradip Vijaykar who had managed to win.
President : Pradeep Vijayakar (The Times of India)
Chairman: Vinod Khatri (Navbharat Times)
Vice-Chairman: Chandra Shekhar Sant (Sr Marathi Journalist)
Secretary: Oommen A Ninan (The Hindu)
Joint Secretary: Nandkishore Bharatiya (Navbharat Times)
Treasurer: Sai Prasan (The Financial Express)

Managing Committee (MC)
1. Satish Nandgaonkar (The Telegraph)
2. P. Raghu Mohan (Business India )
3. Vikas Khot (Hindustan Times)
4. M V Ramsurya (The Economic Times)
5. Prasad Mokashi (Loksatta)
6. James Manalody (The Asian Age)
7. Prakash Deshmukh (Sakal)
8. M C Govardhana Rangan (Reuters India)
9. Manoj Bhoyar (Sahara Samay TV)
FDD offering outside support to an independent woman candidate:
Sashi (Shashikiran Shrivastava) (The Times of India)

ELECTION MANIFESTO OF

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD)
Press Club Mumbai Elections 2006-08

Give Your verdict in favour of Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD)

For the progress of the Mumbai Press Club in a democratic and transparent manner

Rapid development of the Press Club can be possible only if all the members are encouraged to participate in the decision making process.

The MHADA Housing Project hanging for the last three years can be a reality only if it is expedited in a democratic and transparent manner.

And, the resources for the construction of the Press Club building, pending for the last several years, can be generated only if donors of funds have a faith that their contribution would be properly utilized for lifting the face of the entire Press Club instead of any single individual.

Mr Oommen Ninan, Treasurer in the outgoing Managing Committee along with another MC member Satish Nandgaonkar have joined hands with a group of people who believe in the participatory democracy for the speedy growth of the Press Club.

Agenda for the year 2006-08:

Speedy implementation of Mhada Housing Scheme in a transparent manner,
Introduction of the Medical Insurance scheme for the members and staff,
Master plan for the entire Press Club instead of a peace-meal approach. The work would be carried in a democratic and transparent manner.
Creating an Information Hub through the `Meet the Press' Programmes.
Informing members about the Job opportunities available in the media both in print and TV.

FDD would also introduce two important amendments in the Press Club Constitution:

Any officer-bearer or the MC involved in violent activities in the Club premises would be suspended within 72 hours by the Managing Committee. And, SGM would be called within seven working days of the incident to constitute a three-member Independent enquiry committee to probe the incident which would give its report within one month.

2. The AGM and not MC would appoint a three-member election committee to conduct a free and fair election of the Press Club.

Note: The vision statement of Mr Pradeep Vijayakar, FDD's Presidential candidate is attached.



Taking journalists to another level

By Pradeep Vijayakar

I joined the Mumbai Press Club in 1974 as its junior-most member. I spend happy days interacting with seniors in a cross section of journalism, economic, news, cultural besides my own branch sports.

There have been any number of well-meaning people wanting to take the club forward but the concrete steps have been taken only in the last decade. I am happy to have been president of the club for three years of those ten.

There are pressing times for journalists. The system of accountability has come into the profession. Perform or pack up. Stragglers have no place. The system of appraisal can easily weed out the shirkers.

Plus there are new concepts, We are told: "Your company does not owe you your job." Or "Human resource development is not about people but about putting systems in place".

In such a situation I feel the Mumbai Press Club has a role to play in taking journalists to a higher level. By showing the way in helping them de-stress and increase their productivity.

No doubt its prime task is to be a place for relaxation, to forget your work and unwind.

That we can do. But the club can also help side by side in the multi-dimensional development of the journalist.

In whichever organisation one works only one dimension of one's personality is utilized by the organization. But we know our journalists have many sides. Only they don't show it. I think the Press Club can be the right place for this hidden talent to surface.

Press Club also has a role towards society the emerging breed of journalists. Our neighbouring Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, of which I am a life member, has coaching classes in journalism. No such thing at our place.

I have been teaching journalism at various places. And I can tell you the students are still groping around. A place like Press Club with its vast base of experienced journalists can be of huge help to this student group.

Above all we want journalists to love each other, live in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

The Press Club can achieve this with its webside. By getting journalists to write about each other, juniors writing about their seniors, what they learnt from seniors, profiles of journalists who have been personalities in their own right. I can tell you we have a treasure in our club. Only they are under wraps.

Hopefully all these things will change. If you allow us to.

Polling Date : August 26, 2006
Time : Between 12 (Noon) and 8 PM

Attack on media -in Maharashtra & Gujarat

Intimidation Of The Media Who Gains?

The Gujarat Police has slapped sedition charges on The Times of India, Ahmedabad, for suggesting that Ahmedabad’s new Commissioner of Police, Mr O P Mathur, had underworld links. If the Commissioner was offended, he was within his rights to have initiated criminal and civil proceedings of defamation against the publication and its employees. But sedition?

In Thane, hoodlums claiming to represent an outfit known as Shiv Sangram Sanghatana,
attacked the house of Kumar Ketkar, editor of the Marathi daily “Loksatta”, in broad
daylight and subjected him to verbal abuse and terror before the police arrived a full 40
minutes later. Ketkar’s offence? In a satirical vein, he had questioned the need for the
Maharashtra government to spend Rs 300 crores on erecting a statue of Shivaji in the
Arabian Sea when Maharashtra’s children are malnourished, have no access to schools
and our farmers are committing suicide.

If an arm of the state can press so serious a charge as sedition on one of India’s biggest media groups with such impunity, what could be in store for smaller publications and individual journalists? Is this not a direct attack on the freedom of expression and opinion? Are the cops above criticism? Can criticism of an individual police officer amount to sedition? Is government policy not subject to democratic debate and discussion?

As for the Ketkar case, time and again, mob rule has prevented the slightest whiff of dissent when the subject matter is even vaguely related to Shivaji. And more often than not, these mobs have had overt or covert political support: this is a handy device for silencing opposition to pet causes. If an editor of Kumar Ketkar’s standing of a mainstream publication can be intimidated in such a brazen fashion, what hope for other dissenting journalists?

In fact, this growing lack of tolerance to any criticism from the media also extends to the judiciary. In September 2007, three journalists and the publisher of “Midday”, a New Delhi eveninger, were convicted by the High Court for contempt of court for arguing that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may have had an undeclared conflict of interest while deciding some cases involving the shutting down of small shops and commercial establishments. Another senior activist and journalist was pulled up for even suggesting that a discriminatory system of justice is prevalent in our courts when granting bail. Remember, the judges have also ruled that they are not subject to scrutiny under the Right to Information Act nor are their individual assets a matter for public scrutiny.

A clear trend is now emerging. On the one hand, various arms of the state are cracking down on the media whenever unpalatable facts are uncovered. On the other, bands of ruffians are unleashed on the media, generally with the patronage of politicians and sections of the administration, to silence even the mildest criticism. This dangerous trend appears backed by every political party across the spectrum. Such intimidatory tactics also have a demonstration effect and are intended to create a climate of fear. No disquieting questions are to be raised regarding the economic, political and social fallout of India’s tryst with globalization and financialisation.

Are mediapersons going to be cowed down by such blatantly intimidatory ploys? Are we going to be content to play the role of passive spectators? To ask inconvenient questions is the raison d’etre of journalism. Are we a mature democracy or are we fast becoming a backdoor banana republic?

We invite all freedom-loving citizens and groups to attend a meeting on “Who benefits from intimidation of the Media?” at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Opposite BMC Headquarters, CST on 12th June 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Among the speakers
are Kumar Ketkar, editor, Loksatta, Aspi Chinoy, Supreme Court lawyer, P.Sainath, Editor ( rural affairs) The Hindu, Teesta Setalvad, Citizens for Justice and Peace, Neelkanth Paratkar, President, Brihanmumbai Union of Journalists.


Issued by: Brihanmumbai Union of Journalists, Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Citizens for Justice and Peace, Communalism Combat, Lokshahi Haaq Sanghatana, Committee for the Protection of Democratic Rights, Forum against Oppression of Women, Stree Mukti Sanghatana, Akshara, Women’s Centre, Awaz-e-Niswaan, Trade Union Solidarity Committee, Trade Union Centre of India and other organisations

Take out a protest march from Press Club to Mantralaya

June 5, 2008
Mr Deshmukh, we do not want to be your MP or MLC –but do not expect us to be quiet when goons of your coalition attack journalists

Even as residence of the Loksatta Kumar Ketkar was attacked by goons of the ruling Democratic Front in Maharashtra on June 5, 2008 , the State Chief Minster Vilasrao Deshmukh regretted the same day that he could not nominate any writer or journalist to the Sate Legislative Council .
“We had two chances spread over six years to nominate 12 persons each time, but politics of coalition has changed norms earlier set” , Mr Deshmukh , addressing at a function felicitating the Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member and former editor of Maharashtra Times , Bharatkumar Raut in Manralaya said .

“We had two chances spread over six years to nominate 12 persons each time, but politics of coalition has changed norms earlier set”, he added and promised to try to get some journalists become MLC next time
For the record Mr Deshmukh condemned the attack on the residence of Loksatta editor Kumar Ketkar. Saying “ One may not agree to what he has written, but the attack on him is not acceptable.

For the same record Deputy Chief Minister and Home minister of the state R. R. Patil also condemned the attack saying “ seven persons were arrested on the spot in this connection .They are charged with rioting which is a non-baillable offence.Ketkar residence in Thane was attacked by Shivasangram workers. They were protesting against an editorial in Loksatta on the idea of Shivaji memorial in the Arabian sea. Shivasangram is run by the NCP State vice president and ex-MLC Vinayak Mete.

We condemn this attack and suggest all the journalists to take out a protest march from The Press Club, Mumbai to the Mantralaya

Hemant Shirodkar wins two wards in the press club photo contest

Mumbai,May16
Twelve photo-Journalists were honoured this evening at the Press club , Mumbai by Sony Entertainment Television (SET) chief operating officer, Albert Almeida. However , only half of them were present in peson to receive the awards.
A week-long exhibition of their award-winning photos was also unveiled at the Club , which in association with the SET has been organising for the last five years a contest among the city-based photographers to showcase the best photographs that have captured Mumbai and itsnever-say-die spirit through an annual calendar.
Press photographer Hemant Shirodkar of Times of India baggedtwo prizes for his entries in the contest this year.
A total of 35 news photographers who are members of the Club,participated in the contest sending in over 450 images. Out of these12 images were adjudged as winners.
The photojournalist who have clicked these 12 images areA. Srinivas (The Indian Express), Ashish Rane (Mid-Day), DeepakSalvi (Mumbai Mirror), Dilip Kagda (The Indian Express), FawzanHusain (Freelancer), Ganesh Shirsekar (The Indian Express), GoutamSen (Sahara), Hemant Shirodkar (Times of India,2 images), SachinHaralkar (Mumbai Mirror), Vijayanand Gupta and Vikas Khot (HindustanTimes).

CLB restores non-monopolistic character of UNI

Media Clippings

The Hindu (January 23, 2008)

Transfer of UNI shares to Media West " null and void"

Legal Correspondent

Company Law Board : single majority in shares will hit democratic functioning

NEW DELHI: The Principal Bench of the Company Law Board (CLB) on Monday held that the allotment of 10,208 shares of Rs. 100 each of the United News of India (UNI) in favour of Media West was null and void and not binding on the UNI.

CLB chairman S. Balasubramanian passed the final order on a company petition filed by ABP Private Ltd; Manipal Media Network; Kasturi and Sons Ltd. and the Printers (Mysore) Ltd. for a declaration that the resolution purported to have been passed at the UNI Board meeting on September 2, 2006 relating to allotment of 10,208 shares of Rs. 100 in favour of Media West Private Ltd. was “illegal, null and void.”

In its 41-page order, the CLB said: “It is an admitted fact that in the UNI, notwithstanding that there is no restriction on the number of shares that a member can hold, there has never been a single majority in the nearly 40 years of UNI’s existence and, therefore, creation of an absolute majority now is definitely a deviation from the long standing practice.”

It said: “In a company, where there is no single majority, the affairs of the company would be carried on more democratically, which position has now been affected by creation of a single majority by the allotment of impugned shares. Therefore, the shareholders can legitimately voice a grievance of oppression.”

The petitioners had contended that the purported allotment of shares in favour of Media West at the September 2, 2006 UNI Board meeting was ultra vires the Articles of Association of the company, which provided “that no share or shares shall be allotted or transferred to any person other than the owner of any newspaper in India, and Media West not being an owner of a newspaper published in India is not eligible or competent to acquire shares in the company.”

The CLB held that as the Board had not specifically considered the eligibility of Media West to become a member, it could not have allotted the shares to Media West, and that impugned acts had changed the character of the UNI and that the entire exercise suffered from lack of transparency.

The CLB said, “Consequently, Media West ceases to be a member and, therefore, it has become ineligible to have its nominees on the Board. Accordingly, its nominees shall cease to be additional directors with immediate effect.”

The CLB pointed out that the admitted position was that the UNI was in financial distress.

Now that the allotment had been declared as null and void, consequent to which the company would be deprived of funds, it was now the responsibility of the Board, more particularly the petitioners, to find ways and means to mobilise funds either by way of subscribing to the shares, if offered or by way of long term loans, or in any other manner.

An Award with a difference

KARPOOR CHANDRA KULISH AWARD 2007:

Year 1956, nine years after Independence of India, one journalist dared to dream of a newspaper free from influences and interests, totally credible, wedded to truth and public good and devoid of commercial concerns and set about making it a reality. Karpoor Chandra Kulish’s dream and ideals drove him to launch Rajasthan Patrika with a borrowed capital of Rs 500 (about 100 US dollars then). Today Rajasthan Patrika is the most authentic voice of India’s largest state, besides being the only Hindi daily with readership in most parts of India including such non-Hindi speaking states as West Bengal, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest circulated Hindi newspapers of the Indian sub-continent, and is among the top 50 newspapers of the world with over 13 million readers in India.

The phenomenal growth from virtual scratch was possible only due to Karpoor Chandra Kulish’s grit and determination and his faith in the people of Rajasthan, who responded generously to his brand of journalism based on truth, courage and independence. Karpoor Chandra Kulish never swerved from the path of fairness and honesty. Professional excellence went hand in hand with coverage of news and expression of views always focused on public interest and welfare. He set high standards and healthy traditions for his successors to imbibe and follow.

Even today, the ideals and traditions of Karpoor Chandra Kulish remain the driving force for Rajasthan Patrika. In a recent BBC-Reuters survey, Rajasthan Patrika was listed among the top five “most trusted” publications of the country. The interests and problems of citizens as readers remain the newspaper’s prime focus and concern.

About the Award:
The Rajasthan Patrika Group is glad to announce the Karpoor Chandra Kulish Award 2007 (KCK Award 2007). This annual award, in the hallowed memory of Karpoor Chand Kulish, is aimed at recognizing efforts of thought leaders in media, journalist’s outstanding contributions to upholding professional values as well as protecting and promoting ethics and morality, right and freedom of the people for better quality of life. The award theme for year 2007 shall be “Human Development.
There is no entry fee for the award.

“Human Development”:

The first KCK Award for excellence in print journalism will be open to those who have authored and published the most compelling write-ups in media contributing to changing the lives and meeting the aspirations of people. We seek to honor journalists who covered events of people’s struggle for a life of dignity, fulfillment and honor.

We expect the contributions to represent manifestation of man’s unique spirit and goodness of life. They shall also depict strong focus on showcasing self-governance leading to effective social change.

Prize category

One award of US$ 11,000 would be given to the winner of KCK Award. One medal and certificate shall be given to each team member, the trophy and prize money shall be awarded to the institution or team leader (in case of independent team) on behalf of the team.

The distribution of the prize money rests with the concerned institution or leader of the team in case of an independent team application. Awards are restricted to Print Media only. Two institutions shall share the amount if both of them receive the same rating by the Jury.

Apart from this, 10 entries shall also receive special mention and would be given certificate & medal.

Winner Announcement

KCK Award shall be given at an award ceremony at New Delhi in the first half of year 2008. The award shall be conferred annually, starting with the year 2007.

Criteria:

Entries for this award must represent significant news story, depth in research, resourcefulness and courage in gathering information, and relating the story to broaden its dimension. Nominees for the awards will be selected and proposed by recognized panel of jury. Thus:

1. Award is valid only for stories by a team of journalists.

2. An independent team of journalists is invited to send maximum of two entries. A publication may have two entries from every print center.

3. A team shall at least have three team members including the team leader. They could represent at least three different areas (example: edit desk, reporting, research, layout desk, cartoon, photo journalist etc.).

4. Stories should have been published on or after 1^st January 2007 till 31^st December 2007.

5. 31^st January 2008, 1800 hrs (IST) shall be the last date and time for sending the entries.

6. Non – Hindi and English entries must be accompanied by full and accurate English translations. Hindi entries should have a brief of the story in English attached to the entry.

7. Entries must consist of journalistic content inspired by then current news.

8. In case the entry is a yearlong campaign or has more than one printed news articles, please highlight the three articles on which the entry should be judged. We encourage submission of the complete campaign.

9. Entries must have been published in a daily.

10. Each participant accepts full responsibility of his/her work and discharges Rajasthan Patrika from any responsibility in respect of third parties. Each participant agrees not to hold Rajasthan Patrika Group responsible for any claims made against copyright of ideas, content, images or disputes whatsoever.

11. All material submitted in the competition will become the property of Rajasthan Patrika and will not be returned. Rajasthan Patrika reserves the right to use any of the entries for publicity purpose.

12. Applicants are encouraged to keep copies of all information submitted along with a copy of the application form.

13. The decision of the jury shall be final and binding for all.

14. Results will be declared on our website www.rajasthanpatrika.com/kckaward

15. Announcement of the awardees shall be at the ceremony, which shall be informed to all winning team leaders/publications by email as mentioned in the application form a few days in advance.

16. All participants must strictly observe the entry rules. Completion of entry form will imply full acceptance of the contest rules by each participant. Non-compliance with any of the entry rules will result in automatic disqualification of the entry.

17. Entries must be accompanied by filled in application format, available with this document. The same should be attested by the publication in which the entry has been featured. Incomplete application format may not be accepted.

18. A signed original letter from the Editor of the publication on official letterhead supporting the submission (in case of entries from publications).

19. A signed letter of support should be submitted on the official letterhead from the publication. (in case independent team entries)

20. A letter of support with all team members authorizing the institution/team leader on whose name the cheque shall be drafted on behalf of the team.

21. All entrants are expected to follow all rules. Completion of the form and application format shall imply acceptance of rules.

22. Rajasthan Patrika shall not be responsible for lost entries in transit or for any delivery charges.

23. Rajasthan Patrika reserves all rights of acceptance, rejection or reproduction of the entries submitted in contest without any prior reason/consent whatsoever.

24. In case of any legal disputes arising, the court of jurisdiction shall be Jaipur only.

25. All tax liabilities shall be borne by the awardees.

26. Tax will be deducted at source if applicable.

27. The above rules and regulations may be amended to allow fair judgment. Rajasthan Patrika group holds all rights for the same.

28.For queries and clarifications email kckaward@rajasthanpatrika.com.

29. Entries fulfilling all requirements should reach the following address: KCK Award, Rajasthan Patrika Private Limited, Kesargarh, JLN Marg,, Jaipur 302004, Rajasthan, India. Only International Entries can be submitted online with PDF copies of all required documents at kckaward@epatrika.com.

30. Employees of Rajasthan Patrika and Rajasthan Patrika group companies are not entitled for sending entries for the award.

Application form:

Name of the Publication:

Print Center:

Name of the Team Leader:

Name Team Members with designations/field of work:

Title/Concern of the entry:

Publication day and date:

Impact in brief:

Evidences attached to the story (if any):

Disclaimers:

If the entry wins the award, cheque should be made in the name of below mentioned publication or team leader. This is in consent with the team members / publication:

Name:

Bank:

Account number:

PAN Number:

Address and direct contact number/mobile:

Please attach a letter of consent from the publication (in case of publication) or team members (in case of an independent team) on whose favor the prize money cheque shall be drawn.

Team leader to be contacted in case of clarification/information:

Name:

Telephone number (with ISD/STD code): (O) (M)

Email Address:

Fax:

We assure the judges that this work is original in content and is conceived by us.

Signature of the Team Leader

Application Format:

· Theme of the Story

· Number of articles in the story

· Dates with copies of the story printed

· Research elements involved and inferences of the research conducted

· Impact of the story

· Copy of Evidences for the story (Copy of the newspaper in which the story is printed, photocopy of the stories, any other evidence of importance)

· What inspired your team to work on this story

· What did you want to achieve from the coverage of this story

· Translation in English (if applicable)

· Please attach photograph of all team members

(Attach extra sheets if needed for answers)

Checklist for the entries:

- Application form

- Filled application format

- Evidences

§ Original copy of the newspaper

§ Photocopy or cuttings of the articles printed

§ Any other evidence

- Authorization letter of cheque by other team members/organization

- Letter of support for the entry from the publication

- Photographs of team members


Letter of Support

This is to certify that the entry attached by Mr./Ms…………………….. with the team members…………………………………………..on the concern of ………………… is valid and was printed in our publication.

We extend our support and best wishes to his team as an independent team application.

Regards

Editor

Certification of Entry

This is to certify that the attached be treated as the official entry from our publication……………………… from the print center of ……………………………….

The team leader was Mr./Ms…………………………………..with team members…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Thank you for accepting our entry.

Regards

Editor

Vishy! Catch it if you can

Role of the Internal Auditor in The Press Club Mumbai

The role of the Internal Auditor of the Press Club, Mumbai, has come into sharp focus, in the light of the amended provisions of Article 30 of the Club's Constitution, better known as the "Bye-laws & Rules and Regulations", and the vast expenditure that has been incurred/being incurred on a major re-development work that is currently on at the Club.

Given below is the amended version of Article 30 of the Club's constitution (This and several other major Articles of the Club's Constitution were amended on June 30,2006):

Article 30: The General Body at its Annual General Meeting shall elect as Internal Auditor of the Club, a senior member who has been a member for more than 10 years. He shall act as vigilance officer and the functioning of the Managing Committee shall be subject to his objective scrutiny. The Internal Auditor shall directly report to the President every three months on the performance of the Club. Further, the Internal Auditor shall present, if the situation demands, to the President an on-the-spot report on his own or at the behest of the President, if there is a likely breakdown in the Club administration or malfunctioning of the Managing Committee or any other development which necessitates the President's effective intervention.

In the last AGM of the Club held on July 27, 2007 it was pointed out by the Secretary Gurbir Singh that there was no internal auditor for the last one year as the one elected for this post in his absence declined to accept the job. At this some members suggested that appointments for such posts should be made only from among those present in the AGM or his consent should be available in writing. Senior Member Mr G Vishwanath , who was present in the AGM and gave his consent to take up the job was unanimously elected for the post for the year 2007-08.
Here are some questions which are begging for an answer from the Internal Auditor, President and the Managing Committee of the Press Club:

1) Has the current Internal Auditor submitted reports to the President every three months ever since he(the internal auditor) was appointed to the post for the year 2007-08 at the Annual General body Meeting held on July 27,2007 as has been mandated by the amended Constitution of the Club?

2) In the event of internal auditor having not submitted reports to him every three months, has the President bothered to fulfill his responsibility of asking the Internal Auditor as to why he(internal auditor) has not reported to him every three months as has been mandated under the Constitution?

3) Has the Managing Committee of the Club bothered to keep the Internal Auditor in the loop as to the financial matters relating to the re-development work? In specific terms, has it kept him posted of the matters vis-à-vis the contract(s) on civil works at the club, spilled over civil works and contract on the furnishing work? Has it kept him posted on the various correspondences/agreements reached on financial matters relating to the club's re-development work? Has it informed the Internal Auditor whether it has followed parameters under which it (the Managing Committee) was given a "go ahead" to raise funds for the club re-development work in a manner in it wanted to in its proposals passed at the SGM held on July 27,2007?

4) Last but not the least, has the Internal Auditor kept track of financial matters relating to the 're-development' work at the club?

At least 171 journalists were killed in the year 2007

Violence against journalists in 2007 has reached extreme levels for the third year in succession with 171 confirmed deaths, just below the record set a year ago.

According to a communication received from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) conflicts in Iraq, Pakistan and Somalia have proved the most dangerous for journalists in a year that has confirmed the high rates of killings in recent years and “tragedy unlimited” for thousands within the global media community.

In 2006 the IFJ confirmed 177 journalists and other media workers killed. At the year's end 2007 proved only slightly less deadly -- with 171 deaths. The figures have been compiled in co-operation with the International News Safety Institute.

“Violence against journalists remains at extremely high levels for the third year in a row,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “The scale of attacks on journalists marks a continuing crisis filled with unlimited human tragedy and relentless attacks on press freedom.”

Boumelha called for more action from the international community to counter impunity and to eliminate fear and danger from the profession of journalism. “Our colleagues have been targeted because of their work, or killed covering dangerous stories often in the rush to cover breaking news,” he said.

There have been more accidental deaths this year and the IFJ says the threats of targeting particularly in combat zones like Iraq continue unabated. As well as the heavy toll in Iraq, there were multiple media killings in Somalia and Afghanistan. Unrest in Sri Lanka and Pakistan also led to journalists’ deaths.

In Africa violent attacks on journalists have continued and the brutal repression of free expression in Eritrea has led to two deaths there this year.

Coverage of drug traffickers led to another high death toll in Mexico. Throughout Latin America journalists were killed for reporting on criminal gangs, drug running and shady politics.

“As usual those most at risk are media staff operating in their home country,” said Boumelha. “Violence against media is particularly evident in countries where the political situation is unstable. It is no coincidence that countries like Somalia and Pakistan are two of the most dangerous this year.”

The IFJ includes all journalists killed because of their work, including targeted murders, and deaths while covering violent events. It also counts deaths where journalists are killed in accidents while on assignment or on their way to or from a story.

In Iraq, which has been the deadliest country for journalists since the US invasion in 2003, at least 65 journalists and media staff have been killed this year. Of those killed, it is believed that all but one was an Iraqi national.

The full IFJ report with details of each case is released in mid-January based upon conclusion of the cases under investigation.

The IFJ’s study makes it clear that local journalists are the most vulnerable to attack. In the vast majority of the cases this year, the media workers targeted were working for national or regional media and were killed in their own communities. It also highlights the problem of impunity that continues to plague the media sector. Many of this year’s crimes are unsolved and will remain so.

IFJ General Secretary Aidan White, who this week joined a fresh appeal for action over impunity arising out of the United Nations Security Council resolution issued a year ago calling on all governments to confront the crisis of violence against media, said, “Many killers of journalists are just getting away with murder. Governments must take these issues seriously. Every case must be investigated. Those responsible must be punished.”

White, accompanied by Canadian journalists’ leader Peter Murdoch, and IFJ Middle East Coordinator Monir Zaarour is visiting Baghdad this week to discuss security with IFJ affiliates the Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists and the Kurdistan Syndicate of Journalists.

Despite the increased attacks, the IFJ says, journalists are still covering news no matter how dangerous it is. “We salute all of our colleagues out there who face danger as they try to provide news for their communities,” said Boumelha. “We will continue our fight to make sure that safety conditions improve.”

The IFJ recorded the following information for deaths of media workers in 2007:

• Murders and violent deaths 134
• Deaths in accidents 37
• The deadliest region was the Middle East with 68 killed
• Deadliest Countries (for killings) were Iraq (65), Somalia (8) and Pakistan (7)
• Other hotspots were Mexico (6), Sri Lanka (6) and Philippines (5)