In the United States, for the most part, if someone does not agree with your journalistic work or your editorial line, you can receive hate mail or be blacklisted from the White House. But unfortunately, in many other parts of the world, journalism has become one of the most dangerous professions to practice. In recent years, reporters have been pressured, prosecuted, threatened, kidnapped and even killed for simply doing their job.

The numbers are unsettling. So far this year, 88 journalists and media personnel have lost their lives in the line of duty, and 134 have been imprisoned. Iraq continues to top the list of the most dangerous countries in the world for reporters. But according to the latest report by the organization Reporters Without Borders, Mexico is the most dangerous country in this hemisphere for journalists to work in.

Since September 2006, eight reporters have died in Mexico, three of them during the current administration of Felipe Calderon. Most of the attacks against journalists have been attributed to drug traffickers; however, there are suspicions that some might have been politically motivated.

One of the main concerns of organizations that defend freedom of the press and look out for the well-being of reporters is the impunity with which these cases are treated. Although Mexico has a special prosecutor and an office at the National Human Rights Commission that deal specifically with attacks against journalists, none of the cases that have occurred since 2000 has been cleared up.

The Mexican Network for the Protection of Journalists says 2006 was the worst year for the profession. It claims there were 131 incidents targeting journalists or media outlets. Twenty-seven percent were threats, 24 percent were physical attacks, 15 percent were attempted crimes and 8 percent were arrests.

Worldwide, 2006 was also a fatal year for journalists. More than 100 members of the press were killed around the world -- 17 in Latin America alone, which is just behind the Middle East, according to a World Press Freedom Review published by the International Press Institute. Reporters Without Borders says that last year 1,472 reporters were physically attacked or threatened, 56 were kidnapped, 912 news outlets were censored and at least 871 journalists were arrested worldwide.

In several countries, governments are attempting to silence members of the media not by taking their lives, but by taking away their freedom of expression. Cuba is among the countries that fare worst in attempts against freedom of the press, having imprisoned dozens of dissidents for publishing reports critical of the government. From correspondents investigating ties between military and paramilitary forces in Colombia to those probing into the abuses of gangs in Honduras and El Salvador, reporters have become frequent targets, and some have been forced into exile.

Earlier this year, the Venezuelan government made headlines around the world after refusing to renew the broadcasting license of RCTV (Radio Caracas Television), accusing it of destabilizing the country. The network, which had been on the air for more than 53 years, was one of two that presented opposing views of President Hugo Chavez’s rule. The closure of RCTV provoked days of protests and confrontations between critics of the move and Chavez’s supporters.

More recently, the Inter American Press Association has complained that the Venezuelan government could be behind the group’s difficulties in securing hotel space for its meeting in the spring of 2008. Some outright refused to host the organization, while one hotel in the city of Maracaibo withdrew its offer to be the meeting venue after it had already been booked.

A free press is the pillar of a democratic society. It is the duty of the media to search for answers, expose corruption and promote human rights. Journalists need to feel safe while doing their job. It is our right and the right of society to be informed without restraints.

Unfortunately today too many reporters are suffering more than just receiving hate mail or being blacklisted from the White House; they are losing their lives to bring us the truth -- a price too costly to pay.

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(Maria Elena Salinas is the author of “I AM MY FATHER’S DAUGHTER: LIVING A LIFE WITHOUT SECRETS.” Reach her at www.mariaesalinas.com)
© 2007 by Maria Elena Salinas
Distributed by King Features Syndicate