In 2018, the United States was ranked among the most deadly countries for journalists.  On this list, the U.S. follows five other countries, these being Afghanistan, Syria, Mexico, Yemen, and India (in that order).  For being the home of the first amendment, six journalists lost their lives. Five (four journalists) were brutally killed by a gunman in the Capital Gazette newsroom in June. The Committee To Protect Journalists, an advocacy group, reported that they know of 53 journalists that have been killed worldwide.

Security General of Reporters Without Borders, Christophe Deloire stated, ”Violence against journalists has reached unprecedented levels this year and the situation is now critical,” adding, ”The hatred of journalists that is voiced and sometimes very openly proclaimed by unscrupulous politicians, religious leaders and businessmen has tragic consequences on the ground, and has been reflected in this disturbing increase in violations against journalists.”

According to RSF (Reporters Without Borders), in 2018 violence against journalists rose by 15%.  63 professional journalists were killed doing their job last year.  The United States is tied with India right now for the top five most dangerous places for journalists in the media.  “The world’s five deadliest countries for journalists include three – India, Mexico, and for the first time the United States where journalists were killed in cold blood although these countries were not at war or in conflict.”

The Capital Gazette newsroom was honored by Times Magazine in their “person of the year” issue along with other journalists who said they were fighting against what they called “the war on truth”.  

Even though the freedom of speech lives in the U.S., it’s hard for people to have different opinions due to the fact that they can get attacked for it.  The fact that there are people that are killed for writing what they believe is completely wrong and disgusting. People should consider the first amendment and acknowledge that people are going to have different opinions from them.  

How should we deal with this issue of our country being in the top five with the most dangerous countries for journalists? Do you think the RSF will help make awareness for young journalists in the world?