Reporting from hell

Iraqslogger has this grisly report on the fate of journalists in Iraq during the year ended May 3, 2007:

51 journalists killed and assassinated. 18 abducted. 14 arrested or detained. 40 different assault cases against media organizations.

According to Iraqslogger, the report was compiled by the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory in Iraq (JFOI). From the Iraqslogger dispatch:

JFOI said the total number of violations had doubled over the last year, with an average of one violation against a journalist every three days. The organization added that infringements against the freedoms of Iraqi journalists were not only carried out by terrorists, militant groups, militias, and Multi-National Forces, but also by Iraqi security forces, local authorities in Iraqi governorates, and Iraqi parliament. All violations have been made with impunity, the report asserted.

From the of names, dates, and details provided in the Iraqslogger report, it would seem that terrorists, insurgents, and militias were responsible for most if not all of the killings and kidnappings - if I am right in my assumption that these are the unidentified gunmen most often named as the perpetrators.

The Multi-National Forces, on the other hand, seem to confine themselves to detaining reporters or confiscating their laptops or cameras. I assume this happens in cases when they suspect reporters of colluding with terrorists and insurgents.

Iraqi officials on the other hand seem to infringe on the rights of journalists most often by shutting down those who incite sectarian violence insult the government.

But read the details provided by the JFOI yourself to see if get a different impression.