United States ranked as one of the deadliest countries for journalists to work in

The United States was ranked as one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists to work in, placing it next to countries like Syria and Afghanistan as the most dangerous for reporters, according to NBC News.

The ranking comes from the organization Reporters Without Borders, which actively participates in the #ProtectJournalists campaign.

"The hatred of journalists that is voiced, and sometimes very openly proclaimed, by unscrupulous politicians, religious leaders and businessmen has tragic consequences on the ground, and has been reflected in this disturbing increase in violations against journalists," a statement from the group read.

The report simply ranked countries by number of journalists killed, and in 2018 five people (four journalists, one sales assistant) from the Capital Gazette were murdered by a gunman. Two North Carolina journalists were killed by a falling tree while covering a hurricane.

Despite the connection of the U.S. to other countries on the list, the circumstances under which journalists have died are very different. The other countries on the list included Afghanistan (15 killed), Syria (11), Mexico (9), Yemen (8), and India tied with the U.S. (6).

In Afghanistan, for example, nine journalists were killed in a double bombing in Kabul that was claimed by ISIS fighters who deliberately targeted journalists. In Syria, 11 journalists were killed in airstrikes and bombardments while working in an active combat zone.

Journalists in Yemen died from airstrikes or mistreatment and torture in prison. The report notes that in Mexico, journalists who cover stories about political corruption are "often the targets of execution-style murder.

"Violence against journalists has reached unprecedented evels this year, and the situation is now critical," Reporters Without Borders secretary general Christophe Deloire said in a statement.