CPJ Explains Its Iraq Journo Death Toll

In the International Herald Tribune today, CPJ executive director Ann Cooper responds to Eason Jordan‘s op-ed about counting journalist deaths in Iraq:

“Eason Jordan misses the point of documenting deaths of journalists and media support workers when he critiques statistical information for Iraq compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

As a press freedom organization, CPJ focuses its research on attacks on the press so those responsible can be held accountable. Each case is thoroughly vetted to determine that the death was related to the person’s journalism or was the result of a hostile action. Traffic accidents and illnesses in the field are deeply regrettable, but are not press freedom violations.

Jordan is right to say that media support workers such as translators and drivers are on the front lines in Iraq, and CPJ recognizes their crucial role by documenting all cases involving media workers on a separate list.

Our statistics for both journalists and media workers are available on our Web site, www.cpj.org. At a chilling total of 84 people killed, they make up the highest death toll for a conflict in CPJ’s 24-year history.”