110 journalists around the world were murdered in 2015.

Statistics released on December 29 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) show that in 2015, 110 journalists were killed worldwide, with many of these killings occurring in countries considered to be peaceful.

According to RSF, in 2015, 67 journalists were killed while on assignment, and another 43 died under unclear circumstances.

In addition, 27 other amateur journalists and 7 media professionals also lost their lives.

(Source: AFP)

While in 2014, two-thirds of journalists killed were in conflict zones, this year the situation is reversed, with the majority of journalists killed in countries considered to be at peace.

Countries embroiled in war, such as Iraq and Syria, remain among the world's most dangerous regions for journalists this year, with 11 killed in Iraq and 10 in Syria.

Third on the list is France, where eight journalists were killed in 2015 in the bloody terrorist attack in January on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper office in Paris.

The fact that many journalists have been killed shows that those working in the media are not protected, and the United Nations needs to act to protect "those who wield the pen."

Specifically, RSF has pointed out the rise of "non-state groups" such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militants, who often commit brutal acts against journalists.

According to RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire, a special mechanism needs to be established to ensure that countries comply with international law protecting journalists.

According to statistics, since 2005, the number of journalists killed while on assignment has reached 787.

According to splendorplus