Ninety-five journalists and other media workers were killed world-wide because of their professional activities in 2007, with Iraq and other conflict zones accounting for more than two-thirds of the deaths, according to World Association of Newspapers (WAN) figures.
Forty-four journalists and other media workers were killed in Iraq last year. Somalia was the second deadliest place for journalists, with eight killed, followed by Sri Lanka (6) and Pakistan (5).
The 2007 death toll, released after investigation into all potential media murders, is the second highest since WAN began tracking annual deaths in 1998. It compares with 110 killed in 2006, 58 killed in 2005, 72 killed in 2004, and 53 killed in 2003.

A talking newspaper which has been running for 32 years is closing due to a lack of subscribers. The Blackburn and District Talking Newspaper, run by volunteers since 1976, will record its last edition on March 26.
Subscriptions fell from 150 to just 53 with the £8,000 cost of switching from tapes to digital proving too much for the paper.

Former newspaper reporter turned folk singer John Tams has been awarded an honorary doctorate at Sheffield Hallam University.
John, who used to work for the Belper News in Derbyshire where he still lives, was honoured for his outstanding contribution to the performing arts.

The National Union of Journalists has teamed up with solicitors to offer members a legal surgery once a month.
They will be held on the second Wednesday of the month at the NUJ’s Manchester offices, starting March 12. For information and appointments call 0161 237 5020.

Meanwhile, the NUJ is celebrating an agreement by the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post to pay newly qualified seniors a minimum £22,199pa salary.
It says this is the first time the Johnston Press-owned papers have broken the £22,000 barrier, coming after their joint chapels agreed a new deal with management.