At least 71 journalists were killed worldwide from January to June in 24 countries, says the report by Press Emblem Campaign (PEC).

The organization registered a 7 percent increase in the number of journalists killed as compared with the same period last year. This increase is related to the intense fighting in Middle East.

At least 24 journalists were killed in targeted terrorist acts (mostly in France,  Libya and Iraq) and around 17 accidentally covering fighting (in Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Syria, South Sudan and Ukraine). Near 30 journalists were murdered in criminal acts outside war zones (especially in Latin America, Philippines and India).

Among the countries with the highest casualties are France, Libya, Iraq, South Sudan and Yemen.