The massacre in the Philippine province of Maguindanao on Monday (23 November ‘appears to be the single deadliest event for the press’ since it started recording data in 1992, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported yesterday.
“The New York Times and The Associated Press reported today that at least 18 of the victims have been preliminarily identified as journalists. The overall death toll rose to 57 today, news reports said. Searchers were still discovering bodies and establishing identities. CPJ is working with local and international media support groups to extend assistance to the families of those slain on Monday.”
“Even as we tally the dead in this horrific massacre, our initial research indicates that this is the deadliest single attack on the press ever documented by CPJ,” said executive director Joel Simon.