From the Press Emblem Campaign:
More than 127 journalists have died from coronavirus in three months in 31 countries, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) announced in Geneva on Tuesday. Latin America is the most affected region. “Media workers have an important role to play in the fight against the new virus, they have to inform about the spread of the disease. A number of them died for lack of adequate protective measures when doing their job “, said PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen. Between March 1 and May 31, 2020, at least 127 journalists died as a result of Covid-19, according to a count by the Geneva-based NGO, around two-thirds on duty. In the month of May alone, 72 victims were counted, more than two per day. The actual figure is certainly higher, as journalists who died during this period have not been tested (for example, they died of a heart attack, which may be related to Covid-19) or their deaths have not been publicly announced.
Latin America most affected
By region, Latin America was the most affected continent, with at least 62 journalists killed, ahead of Europe 23 victims, Asia 17, North America 13 and Africa 12. Peru is the country with the highest number of victims (15). Brazil comes second, with 13 victims, with Mexico (13), just ahead of Ecuador (12). However, for Ecuador much higher figures have been circulated. The United States follows in 5th place, with 12 victims, ahead of Pakistan (8). Russia has counted the same number of victims as Great Britain, 5 in each country.Next in line comes Bangladesh with 4 deaths, then with 3 deaths in each country, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Dominican Republic, France, India, Italy and Spain. Two victims have been identified in Algeria, Colombia, Egypt, Sweden and one victim in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo, Zimbabwe. Several hundred other media workers tested positive and some media had to be temporarily closed. The PEC count is based on the use of numerous sources: national associations of journalists, local media, PEC correspondents around the world.