VIENNA, March 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The International Press Institute (IPI) said here on Tuesday that 78 journalists were killed in 2004, the deadliest year since 1999 when 86 journalists were killed.

    The press watchdog said in a report that 23 were killed in Iraqand 12 in the Philippines, the two most dangerous countries for journalists.

    The report criticized governments' failure to properly investigate into the killings and prosecute the perpetrators.

    So far this year, 10 journalists have been killed in eight countries, the report said.

    The IPI was created in 1950 in the United States and is presentin 115 countries. Enditem