The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) says that 2012 was one of the bloodiest years for journalists and media workers after recording 121 killings in targeted attacks and cross fire incidents. The IFJ warned that these terrible numbers are the result of systematic failure by governments and the United Nations to fulfill their international obligations to protect and enforce journalists' basic right to life. "The death toll for 2012 is another indictment of governments which pay lip service to the protection of journalists but have consistently failed to stop their slaughter," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "It is no wonder that these sky-high numbers of killed journalists have become a constant feature in the last decade during which the usual reaction from governments and the United Nations has been a few words of condemnation, a cursory inquiry and a shrug of indifference." Art: Cover of report issued about 2011 killings.

A piece from the Pacific Media Guild finds something ironic about the public backlash against Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who signed controversial "right to work" legislation two weeks ago. With Snyder's former allies jumping ship, Garrett Hering writes, "The most visible example is the editorial board of the Detroit Free Press, which endorsed Snyder’s gubernatorial bid two years ago. In a scathing editorial, the state’s highest circulation daily blistered the governor over his 'right-to-work reversal.' Free Press editors slammed him for unleashing 'a legislative blitzkrieg' they described as 'disturbing,' 'grotesquely disingenuous' and 'dishonest.' They concluded, 'Michigan voters who provided Snyder’s margin of victory in 2010 feel betrayed, and they have every justification.' Not mentioned in the piece, however, or in any of the Free Press coverage of the debacle, is the fact that the Gannett-owned newspaper itself has been a right-to-work business for more than a decade already. (Photo from AFSCME website)