A new report by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) revealed that 104 journalists were killed worldwide in 2024, marking a particularly deadly year for the profession. More than half of the fatalities occurred in Gaza, where 55 Palestinian journalists lost their lives amid ongoing conflict.
IFJ Secretary-General Anthony Bellanger condemned the violence, describing it as one of the worst years for journalists and criticizing what he called a “massacre unfolding in Palestine before the world’s eyes.”
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, 138 Palestinian journalists have been killed, making Gaza one of the most perilous regions for journalists in modern history. The Asia-Pacific region was the second deadliest, with 20 journalists killed, including six in Pakistan and five in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, four journalists lost their lives in Ukraine, where conflict persists.
The report also highlighted a rise in journalist imprisonments, with 520 detained globally in 2024, compared to 427 in 2023. China remained the leading jailer, holding 135 journalists, including those in Hong Kong. These statistics underscore the growing dangers journalists face, particularly in conflict zones, and raise concerns about press freedom and the safety of media professionals worldwide.
