128 journalists killed in 2025: The Middle East is the most dangerous region in the world
The International Federation of Journalists, in its latest report released today, revealed alarming statistics regarding the safety of journalists worldwide, documenting the killing of 128 journalists and media workers during 2025. These figures demonstrate a dangerous escalation in violations against those who uphold the truth, placing a heavy responsibility on the international community to protect press freedom.
The Middle East: The deadliest region for journalists
The report clearly indicated that the Middle East remains the most dangerous place for journalists, accounting for more than half of all recorded deaths worldwide. The Federation expressed particular concern about the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories, where 56 journalists were killed, a figure that reflects the scale of the risks journalists face while covering events on the ground.
The human losses among journalists were not limited to Palestine; they extended to other conflict zones. The report documented journalist casualties in Yemen, Sudan (which is suffering from ongoing internal conflicts), Ukraine (which is still embroiled in a brutal war), Peru, and India, confirming that targeting journalists has become a global phenomenon that transcends borders.
Historical background and challenges of international protection
This report brings renewed attention to the crisis of impunity that international human rights organizations have long warned against. Historically, targeting journalists in conflict zones has been a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which guarantee civilian journalists essential protection. However, data accumulated over the years indicates that the vast majority of crimes committed against journalists are not independently investigated, and perpetrators are not held accountable, thus encouraging the continuation of these violations.
The file of arrests and silencing of voices
In addition to murder and physical targeting, the International Federation of Journalists addressed another dark aspect: the restriction of freedom. It expressed grave concern over the 533 journalists currently imprisoned in various jails around the world. This figure reflects a systematic strategy employed by some entities to silence critical voices and prevent the public from accessing information, posing a direct threat to the foundations of democracy and the people's right to know.
The impact of the absence of journalism on the global scene
The devastating loss of 128 journalists in a single year transcends the immediate human cost to the victims' families and colleagues; it represents a severe blow to the flow of reliable information. The absence of journalists from the field, whether through killing or arrest, means the absence of impartial witnesses to events, thus creating fertile ground for the spread of disinformation and the concealment of war crimes and human rights violations. Therefore, this report reiterates international calls for the activation of binding international mechanisms to protect journalists and guarantee a safe environment for them to carry out their duties without fear of being killed or arrested.
