A total of 128 journalists were killed worldwide in 2025, with more than half of the deaths occurring in the Middle East, according to new figures released by the International Federation of Journalists on Thursday.
The rising toll marks an increase from the previous year and reflects what IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger described as a “global red alert” for media workers. He warned that the numbers represent far more than statistics and signal a deepening crisis for press freedom.
The most alarming situation unfolded in the Palestinian territories, where 56 journalists lost their lives as the conflict in Gaza continued. Bellanger said the scale of the deaths was unprecedented. “We’ve never seen anything like this: so many deaths in such a short time, in such a small area,” he said.
Fatal attacks on journalists were also reported in Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, Peru and India, underscoring the widespread dangers faced by media professionals.
Bellanger condemned what he described as a culture of impunity surrounding these killings. “Without justice, it allows the killers of journalists to thrive,” he said.
The IFJ also reported that 533 journalists are currently imprisoned around the world, more than double the number recorded five years ago. China remains the leading jailer of reporters, with 143 behind bars, including several in Hong Kong, where authorities have faced criticism for enforcing national security laws that restrict dissent.
Differences in methodology mean the IFJ’s figures are often higher than those of other organizations. This year’s tally includes nine accidental deaths. Reporters Without Borders recorded 67 journalists killed in the line of duty, while UNESCO reported 93.
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