In 2018, 51 journalists have already been killed

In the first six months of this year, 51 journalists were killed. The press organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has announced. Normally, RSF comes with a report at the end of the year. This year, the organization departs from it because the intermediate position is already so "alarming".

Last year, a total of 65 journalists were killed, according to RSF. This made 2017 the least fateful year for journalists in fourteen years. This year, however, the death toll is rising rapidly. On Thursday, five people were killed when shooting the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, in the US state of Maryland. The author had a long-running conflict with the newspaper.

The most deadly countries in 2018 are Afghanistan so far, where eleven journalists have died, and Syria (seven). In the United States, the counter is now six, which places the country in the top three.

In the Netherlands, the number of incidents against journalists is also increasing, according to a survey of the Netherlands Association of Journalists (NVJ) last year. Last week, an attack was made on the building of De Telegraaf. Shortly before, the Panorama building was shot down.

On Wednesday, the NVJ, the Association of Editors, the Association of Investigative Journalists, the Public Ministry and the police meet to discuss the measures. The NVJ advocates, among other things, the training of journalists. Minister Grapperhaus (Justice and Security, CDA) has indicated that he would like to join the consultation.