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UNESCO launches online database of murdered journalists

According to the organisation's data, one journalist or media personnel is killed every four days

UNESCO headquarters EPA/YOAN VALAT

UNESCO headquarters

© EPA/YOAN VALAT

PARIS, November 6. /TASS/. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched a large-scale international online database containing information on murdered journalists around the world and on the investigation of their deaths, a UNESCO message published on Tuesday informs.

The organization stated that the database would provide "information on the status of judicial enquiries into each killing of a journalist or media worker recorded by UNESCO since 1993, based on information provided by the country in which the killing took place."

According to UNESCO, "one journalist or media personnel is killed every four days." "These deaths provide a tragic demonstration of the risks many journalists face in the line of duty and the latest UNESCO statistics show that in 89% of cases, the perpetrators go unpunished," the message stated.

According to the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists, more than 80 reporters have been killed so far this year. "The online database allows journalists, researchers and members of the public to obtain information on killed journalists, with search options based on nationality, country of killing, name, sex, media type, and employment status," UNESCO added.

Besides, the organization pointed out that the new database would provide information on the status of judicial enquiries into the journalists’ deaths. It will also make available documents on judicial proceedings from national authorities.

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