Palestine was the deadliest place for journalists in 2025, according to a report by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The Middle East as a whole was the most dangerous region for media workers, with 74 deaths – more than half of the 128 journalists and media professionals killed worldwide last year.
Africa followed with 18 deaths, Asia Pacific with 15, the Americas with 11, and Europe with 10, the IFJ report said. Most of those killed were men, although 10 women journalists were among the victims.
“128 journalists killed in a single year is not just a statistic; it is a global crisis,” IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said. “These deaths are a brutal reminder that journalists are being targeted with impunity, simply for doing their job.”
Palestinian media professionals accounted for the largest number of victims, with 56 killed in 2025. Yemen followed with 13 deaths, Ukraine with eight, and Sudan with six.
The Paris-based union highlighted the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, 28, as one of the most emblematic cases. Al-Sharif and several colleagues were killed on August 10 when Israeli forces struck a media tent outside Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital. Other journalists killed in the strike included Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal, freelance camera operator Momen Aliwa, and freelance journalist Mohammed al-Khalidi.
Another deadly attack occurred in early September when an Israeli strike hit a Yemeni newspaper office affiliated with the Houthis. Thirteen journalists and media workers were killed at the “26 September” newspaper, along with over 20 others.
In addition, nine deaths were classified as accidents, while several others, including two journalists in Syria and two in Iran, were targeted due to their work.
While the Middle East remained the deadliest region for journalists for the third consecutive year, the Asia Pacific saw the largest number of media workers jailed. China and Hong Kong together held 143 journalists in custody, followed by 49 in Myanmar and 37 in Vietnam.
Europe also recorded high imprisonment figures, with 149 journalists detained. The IFJ attributed the increase to intensified repression in Azerbaijan and Russia, marking a 40 percent rise from the previous year.
The IFJ report underscores the ongoing global risks faced by journalists, highlighting both the danger of targeted killings in conflict zones and the widespread use of imprisonment as a tool to suppress press freedom.
