A total of 129 journalists and media workers lost their lives globally in 2025, marking a record high as reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Israel was attributed to being responsible for approximately two-thirds of these fatalities, making it the deadliest year since the CPJ began its data collection over thirty years ago.
CEO Jodie Ginsberg emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the escalating number of journalist deaths comes at a critical time when the dissemination of information is paramount. The CPJ’s report revealed that more than 75% of the deaths occurred in conflict zones, with over 60% of the 86 journalists killed by Israeli forces being Palestinians reporting from Gaza.
Despite the Israeli military denying deliberate targeting of journalists, the fatalities in regions like Ukraine and Sudan also saw a rise compared to the previous year. The use of drones in attacks was highlighted by the CPJ, with instances including Israel’s involvement in Gaza and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.
In Ukraine, the highest number of journalist deaths in recent years occurred due to Russian military drone attacks, surpassing the toll from the previous year. The CPJ underscored a concerning trend of impunity for such crimes, citing a lack of thorough investigations into the killings.
Mexico reported six journalist deaths in 2025, all of which remain unsolved, while the Philippines witnessed three journalists being fatally shot. Cases of journalists being targeted for reporting on corruption were noted, including the murder of a Bangladeshi reporter by individuals associated with a fraudulent network.
Similar incidents of organized crime-related killings were documented in countries like India and Peru. In Saudi Arabia, the execution of prominent columnist Turki al-Jasser on what the CPJ deemed as unjust charges reminiscent of punishing journalists under false allegations stirred controversy, marking the first documented journalist killing in the Gulf state since Jamal Khashoggi’s death in 2018.
