The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released a report on Monday, November 2, 2026, highlighting a concerning increase in impunity for journalist killings worldwide. For the first time since 2012, the global impunity rate rose by one percentage point to 86%. This means that six out of every seven perpetrators of journalist killings go unpunished. The report was published on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
According to the report, a total of 189 journalists, media workers, and content creators were killed in 2024 and 2025, with 14 of them being women. This two-year period is considered the most violent for journalists in the past decade. Two-thirds of those killed (67%) were in conflict zones, such as the Palestinian territories, Yemen, and Ukraine. The report also noted a significant increase in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, which were responsible for 26% of journalist killings in 2024 and 2025.
The Palestinian territories recorded the highest number of journalist killings in 2025, with at least 32 assassinations. This is a disturbing trend, according to UNESCO, and highlights the risks faced by journalists in conflict zones. The report also noted that journalists are still being killed in their homes or while wearing protective gear, such as helmets and flak jackets.
Maria Gabriel, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, expressed concern about the lack of investigations and prosecutions related to journalist killings in conflict zones. She emphasized that UNESCO is not a court, but it is working to pressure governments to achieve justice for victims and their families.
The report also highlighted the challenges of tracking journalist killings, particularly in conflict zones. UNESCO's numbers may differ from those of other organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists or Reporters Without Borders, due to the complexity of assessing the circumstances of deaths.
Since 2006, when UNESCO began tracking journalist killings, a total of 1641 journalists have been killed, with an average of one death every four days. The organization is calling for greater accountability and action to protect journalists and bring perpetrators to justice.
The issue of impunity for journalist killings is a pressing concern, with many cases going uninvestigated or unresolved. UNESCO is urging governments and international organizations to take action to protect journalists and ensure that those responsible for killings are held accountable.
Key points
- 86% of journalist killings go unpunished worldwide.
- Palestine recorded the highest number of journalist killings in 2025, with at least 32 assassinations.
- Two-thirds of journalist killings in 2024 and 2025 occurred in conflict zones.
