GAZA BORDER, Jan. 5, 2009 (Xinhua) --Photographers and cameramen look into north Gaza Strip at the top of a hill near Gaza border, south Israel, Jan. 4, 2009. Hundreds of journalist and reporters from all over the world swarm into Israel and the west bank since Israel began the air strike to Gaza Strip on Dec. 27, 2008.(Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Photo Gallery>>>

    BRUSSELS, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A total of 109 journalists and support workers died worldwide covering the news in 2008, according to a count of the International News Safety Institute (INSI) on Tuesday.

    The figure for 2008 was significantly down from the 172 counted in 2007 due mainly to a major fall in deaths in Iraq, from 65 in 2007 to 16 in 2008, INSI said.

    "We celebrate a safer environment for our Iraqi colleagues after five long years of great danger and terrible casualties. But Iraq remains the deadliest place in the world for the news media," said INSI Director Rodney Pinder in a press release.

    In 2008, the deadliest countries after Iraq were India and Mexico, with 10 deaths each, Thailand (9), the Philippines (8) and Pakistan (7), according to the INSI count, cross-checked with data gathered by the International Federation of Journalists.

    Most of the deaths in 2008 were murders apparently because of their work.

    And 2009 has got off to a grim start with three deaths in the first four days, two in a suicide bombing in Pakistan and one gunned down in Somalia.

    "Journalists in far too many countries continue to be targeted for murder because of what they do," said Pinder.

    "We call on all nations, in war and peace, to observe in letter and in spirit UN Security Council Resolution 1738 of 2006 on the safety of journalists and on ending impunity for those who kill them," he said.

    INSI also recorded at least 38 kidnappings of journalists in 2008, the worst places being Iraq (8), Pakistan (6), Somalia (5) and Afghanistan (4). Eight journalists died in captivity -- six in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

    As a not-for-profit safety organization, INSI records all causes of death, whether deliberate, accidental or health-related, of all news media staff and freelancers while on a news assignment or as a result of a news organization being attacked because of its work.

GAZA BORDER, Jan. 5, 2009 (Xinhua) --A journalist with helmet and bullet-proof vest films north Gaza Strip at the top of a hill near Gaza border, south Israel, Jan. 4, 2009. Hundreds of journalist and reporters from all over the world swarm into Israel and the west bank since Israel began the air strike to Gaza Strip on Dec. 27, 2008.(Xinhua/Yin Bogu)Photo Gallery>>>