What's happened
In 2025, 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide, the deadliest year in over three decades. Israel was responsible for over two-thirds of these deaths, including attacks in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, and Mexico, with many killings linked to conflicts and targeted violence.
What's behind the headline?
The alarming rise in journalist fatalities in 2025 underscores a worsening global environment for press freedom. Israel's responsibility for over two-thirds of these deaths reveals a troubling pattern of targeted violence, especially in Gaza and Yemen. The CPJ's data suggests that Israel's military operations are increasingly lethal for media workers, with many killings potentially concealed by restrictions and chaos. This trend indicates a broader erosion of protections for journalists in conflict zones, risking a decline in independent reporting and accountability. The international community must scrutinize these patterns and push for accountability, as the unchecked violence threatens the very foundation of free press and human rights.
What the papers say
The reports from Al Jazeera, Reuters, and The New Arab collectively highlight the severity of the issue, with each emphasizing Israel's responsibility and the global scope of journalist deaths. Al Jazeera details the specific cases of targeted killings and the destruction of press in Gaza and Yemen, while Reuters underscores the record-breaking nature of these killings and the challenges in verification. The New Arab contextualizes the violence within broader conflicts, noting the extension of Israeli attacks beyond journalists to their families. The contrasting tones—Al Jazeera's detailed account and Reuters' focus on record-breaking statistics—illustrate the gravity of the situation and the international concern over press safety.
How we got here
The rise in journalist deaths in 2025 follows a pattern of increasing violence against media workers in conflict zones. Israel's military actions, especially in Gaza and Yemen, have significantly contributed to this trend. The CPJ's report highlights a persistent culture of impunity and targeted killings, with restrictions on press access complicating investigations.
Go deeper
Common question
-
Why Are Journalist Deaths at a Record High in 2025?
2025 has seen the deadliest year for journalists in over three decades, with over 129 media workers killed worldwide. A significant portion of these deaths are linked to conflicts in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, and Mexico, with Israel responsible for more than two-thirds of the fatalities. This alarming trend raises questions about the dangers journalists face today and the factors driving this surge in violence. Below, we explore the key reasons behind this tragic increase and what it means for press freedom and safety.
More on these topics
-
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an American independent non-profit, non-governmental organization, based in New York City, New York with correspondents around the world. CPJ promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists.
-
Hossam Shabat (Arabic: حسام شبات; 10 October 2001 – 24 March 2025) was a Palestinian journalist who reported on the Gaza war as a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher and also contributed to Drop Site News.
Shabat was killed by an Israeli airs
-
Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.