The Committee to Protect Journalists reported Wednesday that the previous year was the deadliest for journalists in recent history, with at least 124 reporters killed, and Israel accounted for nearly 70 percent of that total.
The rise in homicides, representing a 22 percent increase compared to 2023, is indicative of “surging levels of international conflict, political unrest and criminality worldwide,” according to the CPJ.
According to CPJ, it was the most lethal year for journalists and media personnel since the organization started its record-keeping over 30 years ago, with journalists being killed in 18 different countries.
The CPJ reported that 85 journalists lost their lives during the Israeli-Hamas war, “all due to the actions of the Israeli military,” with 82 of them being Palestinians.
With six fatalities each, Sudan and Pakistan documented the second-largest count of journalists and media personnel murdered.
In Mexico, known for its high danger levels for reporters, five were murdered. The CPJ noted the discovery of “persistent flaws” in the country’s journalist protection mechanisms.
The report noted that in Haiti, where two journalists were killed, rampant violence and political turmoil have generated such disorder that “gangs now openly claim responsibility for journalist killings.”
Other fatalities occurred in nations including Myanmar, Mozambique, India, and Iraq.
According to Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the group, “Today is the most dangerous time to be a journalist in CPJ’s history.”
She stated, “The war in Gaza is unprecedented in its effects on journalists and shows a significant decline in global standards for safeguarding journalists.”
According to CPJ, which has documented journalist murders since 1992, 24 of the reporters were intentionally killed due to their work in 2024.
The report indicated that freelancers were among the most vulnerable due to their lack of resources, comprising 43 of the killings in 2024.
According to the CPJ, the year 2025 is not shaping up to be more promising, as six journalists have already been killed in the first few weeks of the year.
