(Originally broadcast on 17 January, 2013.)  For the media, 2012
has been one of the deadliest years on record. According to the
International Press institute (IPI), at least 119 journalists
were killed last year - the highest number since it started to
track attacks against media professionals in 1997. Thirty-six of
these deaths were reported in Syria alone. Pakistan, Somalia,
Brazil and the Gaza strip also proved quite dangerous for
reporters in the last year, claiming 24 lives.  War reporting
is, of course, a risky enterprise. Due to their proximity to the
battlefield, media professionals are likely to become victims of
a shell or a stray bullet. However, incidents in recent years
show that journalists, often considered unwanted witnesses, are
being targeted for what they do. Media professionals are also
subject to other forms of violence such as kidnappings, torture,
harassment, and unlawful imprisonment, which corroborate this
trend of willful attacks - from government officials and non-
state actors alik