The Ticker: Journos, Matthews, VPs

> B&C has the report from the Committee to Protect Journalists. in 2008, 41 journalists were killed while on assignment around the world. That’s down from 65 in 2007. Most of the deaths, 11, happened in Iraq. That’s down from the record 32 deaths there in 2007.

> MSNBC president Phil Griffin talks with THR about Chris Matthews’ future: “I’ve talked to Chris. I think he’s going to be here for a long time. I want him to be here for a long time.” Matthews is considering a run for U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania.

> VP Cheney sits down with Chris Wallace tomorrow on “Fox News Sunday”. In the interview, which was conducted Friday, Cheney chides Congress for not doing something sooner for carmakers: “They had ample opportunity to deal with this issue and they failed, the President had no choice but to step in.” Meanwhile, the incoming VP, Joe Biden, sits down with George Stephanopoulos on “This Week.”