PANORAMA 2024: A Grim Year for Global Journalism

December 28, 2024 – General – 

According to MedyaNews’ year-end report, PANORAMA 2024, journalism faced unprecedented threats worldwide, with record levels of violence, repression, and impunity. The report highlights a deeply troubling year in which over 550 journalists were arrested or imprisoned, and hundreds lost their lives, especially in conflict zones such as Gaza and Ukraine.

The deadliest place for journalists in 2024 was Gaza, where more than 145 media workers were killed, many while reporting from the ground during Israeli military operations. Of those, at least 35 journalists were directly targeted, raising serious concerns about intentional attacks on the press. The conflict not only decimated the region’s media landscape but also served as a stark example of how journalists are increasingly being treated as combatants rather than civilians.

Elsewhere, journalists in Ukraine continued to face battlefield risks, while those in Kurdistan, Mexico, and India experienced a surge in political repression, organized violence, and intimidation. Mexico remained particularly dangerous due to cartel-related violence, while in authoritarian states, governments used legal frameworks to silence dissent. From targeted detentions in Iran and Turkey to harassment and censorship in Russia, India, and Bangladesh, media freedom declined sharply.

A concerning trend noted in the report is the growing normalization of impunity. In most cases of journalist killings or detentions, no one has been held accountable. This climate encourages further abuses and contributes to a chilling effect on investigative reporting and freedom of expression.

To address these escalating dangers, PANORAMA 2024 calls for urgent international action. Recommendations include establishing independent investigations into journalist deaths, adopting stronger legal protections, and supporting emergency safety and legal aid mechanisms for reporters in high-risk regions. There is also growing advocacy for a dedicated UN convention to protect journalists globally.

As PANORAMA 2024 makes clear, journalism is under siege. Without concrete steps to safeguard media workers and uphold press freedom, the global public risks losing access to truth, accountability, and informed civic discourse.

Reference –

https://medyanews.net/panorama-2024-a-grim-outlook-for-journalism-worldwide/