[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Index on Censorship condemns the killing of five people at the offices of a local newspaper in Maryland, United States.

A gunman opened fire on staff at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis on Thursday.

“Local journalism is absolutely essential work. Our thoughts are with the staff and families of the Capital Gazette,” said Index on Censorship chief executive Jodie Ginsberg.

On a recent trip to the United States, press freedom groups noted that death threats against journalists had become “part of the norm” for many reporters, both those working at national and local level.

“Violence against journalists is unacceptable,” said Ginsberg. “Journalism plays a vital role in democracy and it must be protected. We are seeing a worrying trend of aggression and violence against reporters in the United States.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1530269827514-a7fe1933-5473-7″ taxonomies=”3784″][/vc_column][/vc_row]