No fewer than 128 journalists and media workers were killed across the world in 2025, underscoring the growing dangers faced by members of the press, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The figure was contained in the IFJ’s final Killed List released on December 31, 2025. It includes 10 women and nine media workers who died in accidental incidents, marking another deadly year for journalism worldwide.
The global death toll represents an increase from the preliminary figure of 111 reported earlier in December, after 17 additional cases were confirmed in countries including Palestine, Tanzania, Peru and Guatemala. The updated list also recorded accidental deaths involving seven media workers in Nigeria, as well as cases in Burundi and Iran.
Regionally, the Middle East and Arab world recorded the highest number of journalist deaths, with 74 fatalities — accounting for about 58 per cent of the global total. Palestine alone accounted for 56 deaths amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Yemen followed with 13 journalist deaths, while Ukraine recorded eight and Sudan six. India and Peru each reported four killings, with several other countries — including the Philippines, Mexico, Pakistan and Peru — recording three deaths each.
In the Asia-Pacific region, 15 journalists were killed in the course of their work, while Europe recorded 10 deaths, largely linked to the Russia–Ukraine war. Africa recorded nine work-related journalist killings, mainly due to the conflict in Sudan, while the Americas recorded 11 deaths, with Peru emerging as the most dangerous country in the region.
The IFJ noted that the 2025 death toll exceeded the 122 journalists killed in 2024, warning that the figures reflect a worsening global trend and continued failure by governments to protect media workers or bring perpetrators to justice.
Reacting to the report, IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, described the figures as alarming, saying the deaths represent a global crisis for press freedom.
“128 journalists killed in a single year is not just a statistic — it is evidence that journalists are being targeted with impunity for doing their jobs,” Bellanger said.
He called on governments to take urgent steps to protect media workers and advocated for the adoption of a United Nations convention to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists worldwide.
