New York (Agencies): The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that 2024 was the deadliest year for journalists, with at least 124 reporters killed. Israel was responsible for nearly 70% of these deaths, primarily during the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza. The CPJ noted a 22% increase in journalist killings compared to 2023, attributing the rise to surging global conflicts, political unrest, and criminality worldwide.
The report highlighted that journalists were murdered in 18 different countries, including Sudan, Pakistan, Mexico, and India. Sudan and Pakistan recorded the second-highest number of journalists killed, with six each. In Mexico, which is known as one of the most dangerous countries for reporters, five journalists were killed. In Haiti, where two reporters were murdered, widespread violence and political instability have sown so much chaos that “gangs now openly claim responsibility for journalist killings.”
A total of 85 journalists died in the Israeli-Hamas war, “all at the hands of the Israeli military,” with 82 of them being Palestinians. This conflict had a particularly severe impact, demonstrating a major deterioration in global norms on protecting journalists.
CPJ’s CEO, Jodie Ginsberg, emphasized that this is the most dangerous time to be a journalist in the organization’s history. She pointed out that the war in Gaza is unprecedented in its impact on journalists and highlighted the significant challenges faced by reporters globally. CPJ has kept records on journalist killings since 1992, and the 2024 figures are the highest in its history.
Freelancers were among the most vulnerable, accounting for 43 of the deaths. The year 2025 is not looking more promising, with six journalists already killed in the first weeks of the year, CPJ said.