IFJ Reports 122 Journalists Killed Across World in 2024
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has released its annual report revealing that 122 journalists and media workers were killed globally in 2024, Khaama Press reported yesterday.
Among the deceased, 14 were women journalists. A significant 58% of these fatalities occurred during the Gaza conflict, where the death toll includes 64 Palestinian journalists, six Lebanese journalists, and one Syrian journalist. Since the onset of the Gaza war, at least 147 journalists have lost their lives.
The report highlights the geographical distribution of journalist fatalities: 77 were killed in the Middle East and Arab world, 22 in Asia and the Pacific, 10 in Africa, 9 in the Americas, and 4 in Europe, including those covering the ongoing Ukraine war.
In addition to fatalities, the IFJ noted a troubling increase in the number of imprisoned journalists, which now stands at 516 worldwide, including two in Afghanistan. This marks a significant rise from 427 journalists incarcerated at the end of 2023 and 375 in 2022.
The escalating violence against journalists, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza and the deteriorating media freedom in Afghanistan, underscores the urgent need for international action to protect journalists. As authorities tighten controls on the press, the IFJ emphasizes the importance of safeguarding journalistic integrity and freedom to report the truth.
