By RismadarVoice Media
January 2, 2026
At least 128 journalists and media workers lost their lives worldwide in 2025.
This underscores a growing global crisis in press safety, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said in its final “Killed List” released on December 31.
The toll, which includes 10 women and nine accidental deaths, marks a sharp increase from the preliminary 111 killings reported earlier in December.
The additional cases, confirmed later in the month, include deaths in Palestine, Tanzania, Peru, Guatemala, and accidental deaths in Nigeria, Burundi, and Iran.
According to the IFJ, the figures reflect the persistent risks faced by media workers, especially in conflict zones, and highlight the failure of authorities worldwide to hold perpetrators accountable.
The Middle East and Arab World recorded the highest number of casualties, accounting for 58 per cent of the global total with 74 deaths.
Palestine bore the heaviest toll with 56 journalists killed amid the war in Gaza, followed by Yemen (13) and Sudan (6).
Ukraine reported eight deaths, while Europe as a whole recorded 10 killings, mostly linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In the Asia-Pacific, 15 journalists were killed. Africa recorded nine work-related deaths, largely in Sudan, while the Americas reported 11 fatalities, with Peru emerging as the deadliest country in the region.
Other countries registering multiple deaths include India, Peru, the Philippines, Mexico, and Pakistan.
The 2025 toll surpasses the 122 journalist deaths recorded in 2024, when 14 women were killed, signaling a worsening trend in global media safety.
Reacting to the figures, IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:
“128 journalists killed in a single year is not just a statistic, it is a global crisis. These deaths are a brutal reminder that journalists are being targeted with impunity simply for doing their job.”
He urged governments to protect media workers, prosecute killers, uphold press freedom, adding that the world must establish a United Nations convention guaranteeing the safety and independence of journalists everywhere.
The IFJ’s report serves as a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face worldwide, from war zones to politically unstable regions, and emphasizes the urgent need for stronger protections for those reporting the news.
