2025 Among Deadliest Years for Journalists Worldwide; Conflict Zones, Impunity Major Killers: PEC
Guwahati, January 4, 2026:
As the world bids farewell to 2025, the year stands out as one of the deadliest for journalists in the 21st century, second only to 2024, underscoring the growing dangers faced by media professionals globally. According to the Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), at least 165 journalists and media workers were killed across 31 countries in 2025, compared to 179 deaths recorded in 2024.
Conflict Zones Remain Most Lethal
By region, the Middle East emerged as the deadliest, accounting for 87 journalist deaths, followed by Latin America (27), Asia (23), Africa (16), Europe (10) and the United States (2).
The Gaza Strip alone accounted for at least 60 journalist deaths, almost all reportedly caused by Israeli strikes. Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, at least 221 Palestinian media workers have been killed in Gaza—81 in 2023, 80 in 2024 and 60 in 2025.
The Russia–Ukraine war continued to claim media lives, with nine journalists killed in 2025, including three Ukrainian journalists, five Russian journalists killed by Ukrainian fire in border regions, and one French journalist, Antoni Lallican, in Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s Institute of Mass Information, a total of 120 journalists have died since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, including those killed while serving in combat roles.
New Threats to War Reporting
PEC President Blaise Lempen warned that the increasing use of undetectable, ultra-fast drones has introduced a new and severe threat to journalists in conflict zones.
“Access to victims is becoming increasingly restricted, and war reporters on both sides are exposed to unprecedented risks,” he said.
Countries with High Journalist Fatalities
PEC reported 15 journalist deaths in Yemen, including 13 in a single Israeli strike on September 10.
Mexico remained among the most dangerous countries outside war zones, with nine journalists murdered, largely due to violence linked to drug cartels.
Sudan recorded at least eight media deaths amid ongoing armed conflict.
Other notable figures include:
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India: 6
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Ecuador, Pakistan, Bangladesh: 5 each
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Iran, Philippines, Peru: 4 each
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Syria: 3
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Afghanistan, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, DRC, Tanzania, USA: 2 each
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Brazil, Haiti, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Turkey, Zimbabwe: 1 each
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India, South Asia: Rising Concerns
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria noted that India lost six journalists in 2025, an increase from four in 2024. Those killed included journalists associated with NDTV, Dainik Jagran, Republic Andaman, Fast News India, Times Odia, and Delhi Uttarakhand Live, along with the suspected murder of freelance journalist Pankaj Mishra.
Pakistan, which saw 12 journalist killings in 2024, recorded five murders in 2025, while Bangladesh also reported five journalist deaths, down from seven the previous year.
The Philippines saw a sharp rise from one death in 2024 to four in 2025.
Afghanistan and Nepal each reported renewed journalist killings after relative calm in 2024.
Encouragingly, countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives reported no journalist fatalities in 2025.
Impunity: The Root Cause
PEC expressed grave concern over widespread impunity, warning that the absence of independent investigations and prosecutions continues to fuel violence against journalists. The organisation reiterated its support for a proposal, endorsed at the Doha Conference on Protection of Journalists in Armed Conflicts (October 2025), calling for:
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An international commission of inquiry under the UN, and
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The data, PEC stressed, serves as a stark reminder that journalism remains one of the world’s most dangerous professions, particularly in conflict zones and regions plagued by lawlessness.