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January 1, 2025December 31, 2024 – General –
In its 34th annual report, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) revealed that 122 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024, making it one of the deadliest years in recent memory for media professionals. The report highlights a disturbing global trend of increasing violence against journalists, particularly in conflict zones, and renewed calls for international mechanisms to protect press freedom.
The Middle East accounted for the vast majority of deaths, with 77 journalists killed. Palestine alone saw 64 fatalities, largely due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Other casualties in the region included six in Lebanon and one in Syria. The IFJ noted that many journalists were killed while covering Israeli military actions, raising concerns over targeted attacks on media workers in war zones.
The Asia-Pacific region saw 22 journalist deaths in countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. In Africa, 10 journalists were killed, mostly in Sudan, Chad, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Americas recorded nine deaths, primarily in Mexico, Colombia, and Haiti, where journalists covering organized crime and corruption were especially vulnerable. Europe reported four deaths, most of them in Ukraine’s conflict areas.
Alongside the killings, the IFJ reported a record high of 516 journalists imprisoned globally by the end of 2024—a 30% increase from the previous year. China led with 135 imprisoned journalists, followed by Israel with 59 (all Palestinian), Myanmar with 44, and 142 jailed in European countries.
The IFJ strongly condemned the impunity surrounding these crimes and urged the international community to adopt a binding UN convention for the protection of journalists. IFJ President Dominique Pradalié emphasized that the global community must not ignore the crimes committed against media workers, particularly in Gaza, where the scale of journalist fatalities has shocked the world.
The IFJ’s report underscores the urgent need for international accountability and greater safety protections. In an era of rising authoritarianism and armed conflict, journalism remains a perilous profession, and defending it is more critical than ever.
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