Release from the Press Emblem Campaign - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has registered 13 journalists killed during the month of August. This is the highest tally of victims in the media profession from the beginning of the year and since October 2007.

The Georgia-Russia conflict, the situation in the Philippines and others, have brought the total of media victims since the beginning of the year to 61.

From January to August 2007 the figures stood at 84 journalists killed (117 for the whole year). One of the reasons for the reduction in the 2008 tally up to date is due to an improvement in the situation in Iraq.

Nevertheless, the situation has worsened in other places including Somalia where 3 journalists were kidnapped on 23 August, in the Kashmir region of India and in Senegal where newspapers offices have been ransacked and journalists physically attacked.

The PEC is outraged and strongly condemns the death of Magomed Yevloyev founder of the independent Ingush news website Ingushetia.ru in Nazran on Sunday.

During the month of August, three journalists were killed in the Georgian-Russian conflict (the fourth death is not confirmed), two in the South of the Philippines, one of the most dangerous places for journalists. Two were killed in Thailand and two in Pakistan, one in the Dominican Republic, one in Nigeria, one in Russia (Ingushetia) and one executed in Iran.

Iraq remains the deadliest country for media coverage with 10 media workers killed since the beginning of the year, Pakistan 6, Mexico 5, the Philippines 4, Georgia 3, Russia 3, Thailand 2, India 2, Colombia 2, Venezuela 2, Afghanistan 2, Somalia 2.

One journalist was killed since the beginning of the year in the following countries: Iran, Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, Gaza, Bolivia, Uganda, Honduras, Brazil, Niger, Nepal, Guatemala, Burundi, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Cambodia and Zimbabwe.

The PEC reminds governments of the need to have added protection to journalists in conflict zones and other dangerous situations by entering in a serious exercise to develop a new convention.

The recent decision by the Israeli army to drop the case of a Reuters cameraman who was killed during filming of an Israeli incursion into Gaza in April is proof that current legal provisions for the protection of journalists are lacking.

The PEC has launched in December 2007 a global consultation process with governments in order to start deliberations on a new convention to protect journalists in zones of conflict and other dangerous situations.

The Geneva based NGO welcomes the reaction of several governments who have responded in writing to the PEC initiative.

However, other governments have not yet responded. The Geneva based NGO believes that this silent attitude to this important initiative raises serious questions about those governments dedication to freedom of expression.

GENEVA , September 1