Stiletto by Max Kolbe — January, 2010

Published on Jan 20, 2010 by Luke Hunt

Journo Deaths Strike a Record High in 2009 Thanks largely to the Ampatuan clan on Mindanao a record 121 journalists were killed in 2009. They died in 25 countries, and represented an increase of 33 percent from a year earlier, according to a report released by the Press Emblem Campaign. It said the killings in the Southern Philippines marked the “worst massacre of journalists in history,” when 31 were killed in November during an attack on an electoral convoy in Maguindanao province. “On average 10 journalists were killed per month by armed groups, criminal groups, governments and in terrorist acts,” Blaise Lempen, the group’s secretary general, said. “Others were kidnapped or exiled and in many cases silenced while impunity continues.”....

Death of a Maid

Published on Jan 19, 2010 by Luke Hunt

Photo Feature by Luke Hunt HONG KONG — Vicky Flores was found floating on the Tung Chung bay in Lantau Island on April 11, 2008. Hong Kong police declared her death a suicide after less than a week of investigation. But Flores’ friends and Filipino migrant groups are skeptical and protested in Discovery Bay where she worked and lived over the findings, noting that witnesses saw Flores running away from her employer’s house, barefooted and in pajamas on the day she disappeared. They also said the place where her body was found was a 30-minute ride by bus from her residence. .

Bomborra Background

Published on Jan 1, 2010 by Luke Hunt

Bomborra Images was initially formed by Luke Hunt as a photo archive in January 2005. Original designs and site construction was built by the journalist Diane Stormont in Hong Kong while South African correspondent Rob Carmichael made significant contribtions. With a heavy emphasis on Asia, other contributors followed and included Australian journalists Paul Ruffini and Liam Cochrane and the American writer and film maker Dan Boylan. Bomborra Images remains under control of Bomborra Productions, registered in Hong Kong, controlled and owned by Hunt. .

Stiletto by Max Kolbe – November, 2009

Published on Nov 15, 2009 by Luke Hunt

Mexican Mayhem Flavored with a Singapore Sling Routinely Iraq, Afghanistan and The Philippines share top billing as the most dangerous place on earth for journalists. It’s hardly a coveted title but there are a broad range of countries not far behind the leader’s board and Mexico is rapidly catching up. According to a tally by El Universal, the country’s top-selling newspaper, 12 reporters, photographers, editors and radio hosts have been slain this year, mostly for reporting on drug trafficking and the corruption that accompanies the trade. Among the recently killed was Vladimir Antuna García a crime correspondent for El Tiempo de Durango newspaper. He had escaped an attack in April, one month before his colleague, Carlos Ortega Samper, was shot....

Stiletto by Max Kolbe – September, 2009

Published on Sep 15, 2009 by Luke Hunt

Counting the Cost of Freedom Two American journalists, one British reporter and an Afghan have defied recent trends and were released from detention for crimes that could hardly have justified their incarceration. At first glance their release would appear to be a victory for common sense but the reality might unfortunately prove an aberration given the circumstances and efforts required to secure their release. Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were held for nearly five months in a grim North Korean prison have told how they did not see any international border crossings, like a fence or barbed wire that would indicate they had crossed into the hermit state. The girls described in the US media their attempt to cross....