24 journalists killed in Latin America in 2011

Last year was one of the most most "challenging and tragic" years for journalists in Latin America, says a review of 2011 by the Inter American Press Association (IAPA). According to its figures, 24 journalists were killed in the Americas - seven in Mexico, five in Honduras, four in Brazil, three in Peru and one each in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Paraguay. IAPA said: "Together with the impunity surrounding crimes committed in other years and the lack of action on the part of the authorities to deter those who resort to violence a vicious circle has been created that has given rise to high levels of self-censorship." It added that governmental attacks on the press - through laws, regulations and lawsuits - are also are threatening press freedom. Source: IAPA