May a Deadly Month for Iraqi Reporters

By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, Associated Press Writer
Thu May 11, 4:29 PM ET

BAGHDAD, Iraq - At least four Iraqi journalists and employees of media organizations have been killed this month — underscoring the risks in a nation where Saddam Hussein's press restrictions have been replaced by extremist violence.

"Under Saddam, we didn't have freedom. There were arrests, disappearances, torture, but people also understood their limits," said Ismail Zayer, editor-in-chief of the independent al-Sabah al-Jadid newspaper.

"Now, you have freedom, but there is no guarantee that you won't get killed for what you say or write."

The international media group, Reporters Without Borders, says at least 93 journalists and media workers have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 and 42 kidnapped. >>>cont

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