Philippines Achieves Milestone with Zero Journalist Killings in 2024 Amid Ongoing Press Freedom Challenges

February 17, 2025 – Philippines –

For the first time in two decades, the Philippines reported no journalist killings in 2024, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). This marks a significant shift from previous years, where the country consistently ranked among the deadliest for journalists. However, experts caution that this development may be attributed to factors beyond improved press freedom.

The CPJ’s report highlights that the absence of journalist deaths in 2024 could be due to various reasons, including the lack of local reporting on such incidents, increased safety measures, and potential self-censorship among media practitioners. Notably, the CPJ also ranked the Philippines 9th in its 2024 Global Impunity Index, indicating that many cases of journalist killings remain unresolved.

Despite the positive statistic, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Cebu chapter urges continued vigilance. They emphasize that the absence of killings does not necessarily equate to improved press freedom and that systemic issues persist.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) welcomed the CPJ’s report, attributing the achievement to collaborative efforts among law enforcement, media organizations, and civil society. They remain committed to addressing threats and ensuring the safety of journalists.

In conclusion, while the Philippines’ record of zero journalist killings in 2024 is commendable, it underscores the need for sustained efforts to combat impunity and protect press freedom. The true measure of progress will be seen in the resolution of past cases and the establishment of a safer environment for media professionals.

Reference – 

https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/no-filipino-journalist-killed-in-2024-but-impunity-persists/#:~:text=The%20latest%20report%20of%20the,was%20killed%20in%20the%20Philippines.

https://tribune.net.ph/2025/02/17/philippines-logs-zero-journalist-killings-in-2024-cpj-reports

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/17/2422027/no-filipino-journalist-killed-2024-report