71 journalists killed across the world in 2013

Seventy-one journalists were killed across the world, including India in 2013, Reporters Without Borders said in a report on Wednesday.

Asia topped the list with 24 deaths of newspersons in connection with their work, said the report by the international media group.

It said 39 per cent of the deaths occurred in "conflict zones", including Syria, Somalia, Mali, Pakistan's Balochistan, Russia's Dagestan and "the Indian province of Chhattisgarh".

It said the killings dropped by 20 per cent in comparison to 2012 which witnessed 88 killings of newsmen.

The Middle East and north Africa reported 23 deaths of journalists each, the report said.

It said Syria, Somalia and Pakistan retained their position among the world's five deadliest countries for the media.

While 826 journalists were attacked, 2,160 were threatened or attacked in 2013.