International day to mark journalism: To those dedicated to truth seeking

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Editor's Note: September 8 marks the International Day of Solidarity of Journalists to memorialize Julius Fuchik, a Czech journalist who was killed by the Nazis in WWII.

They have been killed for seeking and speaking the truth.

Shen Jin (1872-1903) was the first Chinese journalist to have been killed in history. In 1903, Shen was arrested after exposing the inside story of a treaty signed by the Qing government and Russia. On July 31, Empress Dowager Cixi had Shen executed.

Picture of Shen Jin (1872-1903). /Photo via Wikipedia

In May 1999, three Chinese journalists, Shao Yunhuan, Xu Xinghu and Zhu Ying, were killed after the US-led NATO forces bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.

(From Left to Right) Shao Yunhuan, Xu Xinghu and Zhu Ying. /CCTV Photo

The killings of journalists span the entire globe. According to the International Federation of Journalists, 1,024 journalists were killed during the past decade, with 2012 being the deadliest year with 121 killings.

Number of journalists killed worldwide from 2008 to 2017. /Data from the International Federation of Journalists

In 2017, the most dangerous countries for journalists were Mexico (13 killed), Afghanistan (12), Iraq (11), Syria (10), India (6), the Philippines (4), Pakistan (4), Nigeria (3), Somalia (3) and Honduras (3), according to the International Federation of Journalists.

Most dangerous countries for journalists in 2017. /Data from the International Federation of Journalists

The victims mostly succumbed to targeted bomb attacks and crossfire.

Thousands of CGTN journalists are covering the globe.

This article pays tribute to the seeker, the storyteller, and the fighter among us.