The year 2005 was the deadliest in 10 years for reporters, a report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) revealed. According to the report, at least 63 journalists and other media assistants were killed last year. It also disclosed that Iraq remains the world’s most dangerous country to practice journalism in, with over 76 journalists and media assistants having been killed in the line of duty in Iraq since March 2003. Aside from US army attacks, terrorist strikes and guerilla conflicts continue to take the lives of journalists in Iraq.

Protests and mobilisations at the Sixth World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong, December last year were mainly peaceful. Despite this, local police and media attempted to paint violent pictures of anti-WTO activists and events, which instilled fear in local residents, reminiscent of the last two WTO meetings in Seattle and Cancun.