Journalist death toll reaches 30 in Iraq

Baghdad, , May. 7 (UPI) -- The death toll for journalists working in Iraq has reached 30 after two reporters were targeted and killed by gunmen, The Guardian reported Friday.

A third reporter was also wounded when their car first hit a landmine, and then came under heavy sniper fire. All three worked for Poland's TVP television station, a military spokesman said.

The men were killed near the town of Mahmoudiyah, 20 miles south of Baghdad, near where two CNN journalists were killed while traveling in a convoy in January.

Today's deaths bring the number of journalists killed around the world in the last year to 44, the highest level in nearly a decade, according to figures published by press freedom campaigners Reporters Sans Frontieres.

The majority of the deaths occurred in Iraq, which has turned into one of the most dangerous wars ever for the media, the group said.

From: http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040507-105630-6355r.htm