At least two hundred journalists and media workers have been killed in Iraq since US-led invasion of the country in March 2003.

Up to 49 journalists and media workers have been killed since the beginning of 2007, 73 percent of whom were directly targeted.

Eighty percent of the victims who were Iraqi nationals and worked for foreign news organizations were singled out by armed groups.

The Iraqi journalists were mainly targeted because the insurgents were angered by their coverage or were ideologically opposed to their employers.

More journalists have been taken hostage in Iraq than anywhere else in the world.

SB/KB