The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has reported that 122 journalists and media workers got killed in 2024, making it one of the deadliest years for the profession.
Among the victims are 14 women.
The IFJ disclosed the grim figures in its annual Killed List, released on December 31, 2024.
The war in Gaza and Lebanon accounted for the majority of these fatalities.
Palestinians bore the brunt of the violence, with 64 killed, followed by six Lebanese and one Syrian.
Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, at least 147 Palestinian journalists have died. This make Palestine one of the most dangerous places for media professionals, the IFJ said.
In other regions, Iraq reported three deaths, including two women killed on August 23.
Syria recorded the deaths of a photographer on December 4 and two Kurdish journalists in northern Syria on December 19.
Africa saw the deaths of 10 journalists in 2024, with Sudan being the most affected.
The country lost six journalists amid an ongoing civil war.
Other casualties included two Somalis, one Chadian journalist, and one journalist in DR Congo.
In addition to the killings, 2024 saw a sharp increase in journalists imprisoned worldwide.
The IFJ recorded 516 media professionals behind bars, a significant rise from 427 in 2023 and 375 in 2022.
China, including Hong Kong, remains the top jailer, with 135 detained. Israel followed with 59 Palestinian journalists, and Myanmar with 44.
In Africa, 46 journalists are in prison, and Egypt leads the continent with 24 imprisoned journalists.
Globally, the Asia-Pacific region has the highest number of incarcerated journalists at 254. Europe follows with 142, the Middle East and Arab world (102), Africa (46), and Latin America (1).
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary, expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the slain journalists.
“Behind this high figure, there are 122 truncated stories,” he said.
Bellanger called on UN member states to adopt a binding International Convention on the safety of journalists.
He said this will combat impunity and ensure the safety of media professionals worldwide.
In the absence of a global action to protect journalists and safeguard press freedom, the scourge of violence and repression against media professionals is likely to persist.
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