Dear Friend of CPJ:
There is no greater calling here at CPJ than fighting for justice when our colleagues are killed. Last year was the bloodiest for the media ever recorded by CPJ, with 71 journalists killed for their work.
Who were these journalists, and what was their vital work? Who killed them, and why? These are the questions that we ask day after day. It is not easy pursuing answers in countries like Iraq, the Philippines, Russia, and Mexico-countries with the world's worst law enforcement records when it comes to deadly violence against the press.
But we will not forget our colleagues who risked their lives to bring us the news. This year, to mark World Press Freedom Day-today, May 3-we released a special report identifying 10 cases that must be prosecuted to reverse the culture of impunity. Ten murders. Not a single conviction.
Yet CPJ research shows that each of these 10 crimes can be solved. In many of the cases, specific suspects have been identified; in others, evidence points clearly to potential culprits. What we need now is the political will to act.
With your help, we will continue to fight for justice for our colleagues.
For Anna Politkovskaya, a renowned Russian investigative journalist targeted for her unsparing reports about the brutal separatist conflict in Chechnya.
For Armando Rodríguez, a Mexican crime reporter who was gunned down while sitting in his car in the driveway of his home, as his 8-year-old daughter watched in horror from the back seat.
For the 32 journalists and media support staff killed in an election-related massacre in Maguindanao, the Philippines.
CPJ research shows that nearly 90 percent of journalist murders worldwide go unpunished. This is a daunting record, but it is reversible.
Last month, CPJ organized a global Impunity Summit at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Participants included journalists and press freedom advocates from Colombia, Mexico, Russia, Pakistan, and the Philippines-many of whom had seen close colleagues killed in the line of duty. The most gratifying moment of the conference for me came when a group of these journalists, from some of the most dangerous countries in the world, were asked whether they were optimistic that justice would be done. All said they were.
I'm optimistic too, that with your support we can continue our fight. In fact, international and domestic pressure has led to recent convictions of journalists' killers in Brazil, Colombia, and the Philippines. For example, in January, a Philippine court sentenced a man to life in prison for the murder of journalist Edgar Amoro, a key witness in the 2002 killing of fellow Pagadian City broadcaster Edgar Damalerio. And last year, a suspect was convicted in the 2006 murder of radio commentator Armando Pace.
Together we can honor our slain colleagues in a meaningful way-by telling their stories, by pursuing vigorous investigations into their murders, and by securing effective prosecutions.
Your generosity makes this important work possible.
All best,
Joel Simon
P.S. In honor of World Press Freedom Day, your tax-deductible gift will be matched dollar for dollar by CPJ Board Chairman Paul Steiger.
There is no greater calling here at CPJ than fighting for justice when our colleagues are killed. Last year was the bloodiest for the media ever recorded by CPJ, with 71 journalists killed for their work.
Who were these journalists, and what was their vital work? Who killed them, and why? These are the questions that we ask day after day. It is not easy pursuing answers in countries like Iraq, the Philippines, Russia, and Mexico-countries with the world's worst law enforcement records when it comes to deadly violence against the press.
But we will not forget our colleagues who risked their lives to bring us the news. This year, to mark World Press Freedom Day-today, May 3-we released a special report identifying 10 cases that must be prosecuted to reverse the culture of impunity. Ten murders. Not a single conviction.
Yet CPJ research shows that each of these 10 crimes can be solved. In many of the cases, specific suspects have been identified; in others, evidence points clearly to potential culprits. What we need now is the political will to act.
With your help, we will continue to fight for justice for our colleagues.
For Anna Politkovskaya, a renowned Russian investigative journalist targeted for her unsparing reports about the brutal separatist conflict in Chechnya.
For Armando Rodríguez, a Mexican crime reporter who was gunned down while sitting in his car in the driveway of his home, as his 8-year-old daughter watched in horror from the back seat.
For the 32 journalists and media support staff killed in an election-related massacre in Maguindanao, the Philippines.
CPJ research shows that nearly 90 percent of journalist murders worldwide go unpunished. This is a daunting record, but it is reversible.
Last month, CPJ organized a global Impunity Summit at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Participants included journalists and press freedom advocates from Colombia, Mexico, Russia, Pakistan, and the Philippines-many of whom had seen close colleagues killed in the line of duty. The most gratifying moment of the conference for me came when a group of these journalists, from some of the most dangerous countries in the world, were asked whether they were optimistic that justice would be done. All said they were.
I'm optimistic too, that with your support we can continue our fight. In fact, international and domestic pressure has led to recent convictions of journalists' killers in Brazil, Colombia, and the Philippines. For example, in January, a Philippine court sentenced a man to life in prison for the murder of journalist Edgar Amoro, a key witness in the 2002 killing of fellow Pagadian City broadcaster Edgar Damalerio. And last year, a suspect was convicted in the 2006 murder of radio commentator Armando Pace.
Together we can honor our slain colleagues in a meaningful way-by telling their stories, by pursuing vigorous investigations into their murders, and by securing effective prosecutions.
Your generosity makes this important work possible.
All best,
Joel Simon
P.S. In honor of World Press Freedom Day, your tax-deductible gift will be matched dollar for dollar by CPJ Board Chairman Paul Steiger.
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