A recent UNESCO report has revealed that impunity for the killing of journalists has risen globally for the first time since 2012, with 86 per cent of cases remaining unresolved. The report recorded 189 killings of journalists, media workers and social media producers engaged in journalistic activity during 2024-2025, up from 158 in 2022-2023. This represents the highest two-year death toll since 2014-2015.
The majority of journalist killings, 127, occurred in conflict zones, accounting for 67 per cent of the total. UNESCO noted that the growing use of military drones has introduced new dangers for journalists covering armed conflicts. At least 50 journalists, representing 40 per cent of those killed in conflict zones, died in drone strikes during the reporting period.
Across six war zones, drone attacks accounted for slightly more than a quarter of all journalist killings. UNESCO documented seven incidents in which multiple journalists were killed in single attacks, including strikes on media workplaces and temporary reporting centres. Fifteen journalists were reportedly killed while wearing press vests or travelling in vehicles clearly marked as press.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany emphasised that journalists are increasingly paying with their lives for reporting from the frontlines of war, and far too often those responsible for their killings are not held accountable. He called for respect for UN Security Council Resolution 2222, adopted unanimously in 2015, which recognises journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians in situations of armed conflict.
The report found that the global impunity rate rose to 86 per cent from 85 per cent in the previous reporting period, reversing a gradual decline recorded over the years. However, progress was noted in countries not experiencing armed conflict, where impunity for journalist killings fell to 77 per cent in 2026, down from 94 per cent in 2012.
Journalist killings in non-conflict countries also declined, with 85 recorded during the 2024-2025 period, the lowest level in 18 years. Women journalists continued to face particular risks, especially in conflict zones and online. Of the 14 women journalists killed during the reporting period, 93 per cent died while covering conflicts.
Since UNESCO began systematically monitoring journalist killings in 2006, 1,641 journalists have been killed worldwide, an average of one every four days. The organisation warned that the persistent failure to investigate and prosecute such crimes threatens press freedom and undermines the public’s right to information.
Key points
- 86% of journalist killings remain unresolved globally.
- 189 media workers were killed in 2024-2025, the highest two-year death toll since 2014-2015.
- Women journalists face particular risks, especially in conflict zones and online.
