65 journalists killed in 2017

Sixty five journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2017, according to annual figures published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) yesterday.

Among them, 50 were professional reporters. However, the downward trend points at journalists giving up working in the world's deadliest spots.

Of the 65 deaths, the report said 39 were murdered, while the rest died in the line of duty -- collateral victims of deadly circumstances likes air strikes or suicide bombings.

War-torn Syria remains the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, RSF said, with 12 reporters killed, followed by Mexico where 11 were assassinated.

They include Javier Valdez, a prominent reporter of Mexico's deadly drug war, whose murder in May this year sparked a public outcry.

RSF said Mexico was the deadliest country not at war, saying those who "cover political corruption or organised crime are often systemically targeted, threatened and gunned down."

The Philippines has become Asia's most dangerous country for reporters.

The rise comes after what RSF called an "alarming comment" on journalist by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The overall number of professional reporters slain worldwide, however, fell to its lowest number in 14 years, RSF said.

Turkey is the world's biggest prison for professional journalists, the figures show, with 42 reporters and one media worker behind bars.

"Criticising the government, working for a 'suspect' media outlet, contacting a sensitive source or even just using an encrypted messaging service all constitute grounds for jailing journalists on terrorism charges," the report said.

With 52 languishing in jail, China, however, continues to lead the table when bloggers are taken into account.

RSF accused Beijing of toughening its "arsenal of measures for persecuting journalists and bloggers.