Journalist deaths worldwide increased by 20 percent in two years — UNESCO
This figure was recorded in 2024–2025. The majority of the victims were killed as a result of drone attacks.
Journalist deaths worldwide increased by 20 percent in two years — UNESCO
In 2024–2025, a total of 189 journalists died worldwide due to their professional activities. This figure is 20 percent higher compared to 2022–2023.
Data on this is presented in the report by the UNESCO Director-General on the safety of journalists and the danger of impunity.
According to the report, 127 of the recorded deaths occurred in areas of military operations. 40 percent of them were killed as a result of strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles — drones.
The highest number of journalists died in Palestine: 62 people. Mexico (17 people) and Sudan (14 people) followed. Additionally, during the indicated period, 12 media workers died during the war in Ukraine.
“Local and international war correspondents are working under great risk. They are caught in the crossfire. Furthermore, they are being targeted deliberately even far from the front line. In four conflict-zone countries, groups of journalists were killed in makeshift newsrooms and workspaces. Their total number reached 36 people. In one case, nine journalists were killed as a result of a single attack,” the report stated.
Over the past 20 years, UNESCO has recorded the deaths of 1,600 journalists. However, investigations were conducted into only 14 percent of these cases. At the same time, the proportion of unresolved investigations in non-armed conflict countries has decreased. This figure dropped from 94 percent in 2012 to 77 percent in 2026.
“Nevertheless, protecting press freedom is more important than ever. Because the press remains under serious threat both in conflict and non-conflict areas. And journalists continue to pay a heavy price for this,” emphasized UNESCO Director-General Khaled al-Enany.