France becomes second most dangerous country for journalists after Charlie Hebdo massacre and Paris attacks

After Syria, the most journalists were killed in France this year

Syria and France were the most dangerous countries for journalists in 2015 (EPA)

Journalists are in danger even if they are not on the front line. According to new figures, nine journalists were killed in France in 2015 – only beaten to the top on the list of most dangerous countries by Syria.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said this year was one of the deadliest on record for practising journalism, with 69 people killed on assignment, either targeted for their profession, killed in combat, crossfire or while covering other reports.

Syria is top of the most dangerous list for the fourth year running, with 13 journalists killed this year. The death toll is slightly lower as various foreign news organisations have banned their reporters from entering the country for their own safety.

Of all those killed, the CPJ reported that about 40% of deaths were at the hands of Islamic militant groups. This includes the eight journalists killed at the offices of satirical publication Charlie Hebdo, and one freelance journalist who was reporting on the band Eagles of Death Metal at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris when ISIS entered the venue and started firing randomly at the crowd.

The numbers do not include three media workers killed this year or the 25 journalists who died in 2015 listed under the CPJ category as “motive uncomfirmed”.

“It’s really challenging to investigate the killings of journalists in places like Iraq, like Syria, where there are such high levels of violence and so little information coming out,” said CPJ’s Advocacy Director, Courtney Radsch, told Voice of America English News.

Beyond statistics, the CPJ also provides important and touching details about each journalist killed in action.

Freelancer Guillaume B. Decherf, who was reporting from the Bataclan, was 43 years old and writing for Les InRockuptibles when he died. His colleague Christophe Conte wrote in a tribute: “He dragged his imposing silhouette in the newsrooms of Libé, Metro or Rolling Stone and everywhere his gentleness, his seriousness, his humour and his will to share have only left sweet memories, besides remarkable articles.”