128 journalists killed worldwide in 2025: Press group

A total of 128 journalists were killed worldwide in 2025, with more than half of the deaths occurring in the Middle East, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said on Thursday.

Describing the toll as a “global red alert,” IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said the figure, which is higher than in 2024, underscores the growing dangers faced by media workers. “This is not just a statistic — it’s a warning for our colleagues everywhere,” he told AFP.

The IFJ expressed particular concern over the Palestinian territories, where 56 journalists and media professionals were killed this year amid Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. “We’ve never seen anything like this — so many deaths in such a short time, in such a small area,” Bellanger said.

Journalists were also killed in countries including Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, Peru and India.

Bellanger condemned what he termed the prevailing “impunity” for attacks on journalists, warning that the lack of accountability allows such violence to continue. “Without justice, the killers of journalists are emboldened,” he said.

Separately, the IFJ reported that 533 journalists are currently imprisoned worldwide — more than double the number recorded five years ago. China remained the world’s largest jailer of journalists, with 143 reporters behind bars, including in Hong Kong, where Western countries have criticised the use of national security laws to suppress dissent.

The IFJ noted that its fatality figures are typically higher than those of other press watchdogs due to different counting methodologies. Its 2025 tally also includes nine accidental deaths.

By comparison, Reporters Without Borders said 67 journalists were killed in the line of duty this year, while UNESCO put the figure at 93.