An international group of journalists says at least 57 professional journalists have been killed around the world in the line of duty this year.

A report released on Wednesday by the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF, says the figure, counted from January 1 to December 1, has increased by nine from 2021.

Mexico tops the list with 11 deaths, followed by Ukraine with eight. The report cites the war in Ukraine as one reason for the rise in the number of journalists killed in 2022.

RSF also says a record total of 533 journalists are being detained worldwide. The figure is the largest since record-keeping began in 1995.

China by far heads the list with 110, followed by Myanmar with 62. At least 18 journalists are being held in Russia.

RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire writes in the report, "Dictatorial and authoritarian regimes are filling their prisons faster than ever by jailing journalists."

He says there is a pressing need "to extend our active solidarity to all those who embody the ideal of journalistic freedom, independence and pluralism."