Iraq: Media Workers Killed 2003-09

See also: Journalists killed   |   Journalists abducted   |   Background reports


The war in Iraq illustrated the dangers faced by people who work with journalists in supporting roles–as drivers, interpreters, fixers and guards. Here is a statistical look at media support workers killed in Iraq 2003-09. Capsule reports detailing each death are available in CPJ’s database of killed journalists.

By Year:
• 2008: 2
• 2007: 12
• 2006: 15
• 2005: 3
• 2004: 17
• 2003: 2

By Nationality:
• Iraqi: 50
• Other (Lebanese): 1

By Gender:
• Men: 50
• Women: 1

By Circumstance:
• Murder:43
Crossfire or other acts of war: 8

Responsibility:
Insurgent action: 44 (Includes crossfire, suicide bombings, and murders.)
• U.S. fire: 6 (Includes crossfire.)
• Source unconfirmed: 1

By Job:
• Security guard: 18
• Driver: 15
• Interpreter/translator: 6
• Technical support staff: 6
• Kitchen staff: 2
• Other: 4

By Location:
• Nineveh province (Mosul): 5
• Baghdad province: 34
• Saleheddin province: 2
• At-Tamim province (Kirkuk): 5
• Basrah province: 1
• Diyala province (Baaqubah): 2
• Najaf province: 1
• Al-Muthanna province (Al-Samawah): 1

Type of news organization:
Working for international news organization: 18
Working for Iraqi news organization: 33

Highest death tolls among news organizations:
Iraq Media Network (includes Al-Iraqiya, its affiliates, and Sabah newspaper): 13
Al-Shaabiya: 6
• Al-Arabiya: 5