The year 2024 has been declared the deadliest for journalists, with at least 124 media workers killed while carrying out their duties, according to a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
The report, released on Wednesday, highlights the alarming rise in journalist fatalities—an increase of 22% from 2023—driven by escalating global conflicts, political unrest, and rising criminal activity.
The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza accounted for the highest number of casualties, with 85 journalists killed—82 of them Palestinian, CPJ reported. The organization documented 10 cases where journalists in Gaza and Lebanon were deliberately targeted by Israeli forces, despite international protections for journalists in conflict zones.
Outside the Middle East, Sudan and Pakistan recorded the second-highest journalist death tolls, with six fatalities each, attributed to Sudan’s ongoing civil war and Pakistan’s deepening political crisis.
At least 24 journalists were deliberately murdered in direct retaliation for their work, with targeted killings reported in Haiti, Mexico, Pakistan, Myanmar, Mozambique, India, Iraq, and Sudan.
Freelance journalists—often lacking institutional support—accounted for more than 35% (43) of the deaths. In Gaza alone, 31 Palestinian freelancers lost their lives while covering the conflict, underscoring the heightened risks faced by independent reporters in war zones.
Mexico, long considered one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, recorded five killings in 2024, with CPJ citing the continued failure of journalist protection programs. In Haiti, where gang violence has spiraled out of control, two journalists were murdered, with criminal groups openly claiming responsibility.
The Middle East and North Africa remained the deadliest region for journalists, accounting for 78% (97) of all fatalities. Syria, following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, saw four journalists killed in renewed attacks.
CPJ is now calling for the establishment of an international investigative task force to address crimes against journalists and hold perpetrators accountable.
“The war in Gaza has set a dangerous precedent for the treatment of journalists in conflict zones,” CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg warned. “But attacks on journalists are happening worldwide, and urgent action is needed to protect press freedom.”
The trend of violence has continued into 2025, with six journalists already killed in the first weeks of the year, signaling another grim outlook for press safety worldwide.
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