The number of journalist deaths for 2003 has already surpassed the number killed in all of 2002.

Sixteen journalists were killed in the Iraq war and its aftermath.

Seven were killed in Colombia and six in the Philippines.

The 51 killed this year surpasses 46 killed in all of 2002, WAN said.

"The figure is appalling and once again underlines that governments and media organisations must do more to protect journalists wherever their duty to inform the public takes them -- even to war zones," said Timothy Balding, Director General of WAN.

"Where journalists once went to the front, now they live there," he said.

"Modern technology has made it possible to report directly from the danger zones, instantaneously, with a minimum of equipment.

That puts more journalists in the line of fire for longer periods of time".

The number compares with 60 journalists killed in 2001, 53 in 2000, 70 in 1999 and 28 in 1998.

Several press freedom organisations track the number of journalists killed each year and the numbers vary according to the criteria used.

WAN said its figures include all media workers killed in the line of duty or targeted because of their work.

WAN, which promotes the interests of the newspaper industry, claims to represent 18 000 newspapers around the world.

- Nampa-AFP

World News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  India security chief resigns after Mumbai attacks
•  Religious clashes kills hundreds in Nigeria
•  Cheeky thief steals Thanksgiving dinner
•  Zim offers free graves as cholera spreads
•  Zim parties agree on constitutional amendment
•  Protesters wounded in Thailand explosions
•  Obama to nominate Clinton as Sec of State
•  Obama to nominate Clinton as Sec of State
•  Late workers, students get notes blaming NY subway
•  Obama as role model for black youth? Not so fast
•  Somali pirates reach deal on ship
•  Some patients confuse lives with reality shows
•  100 missing after boat accident