A UNESCO report reveals 189 journalists were killed globally in 2024-2025, with a rising rate of impunity for these killings.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
A recent report released by UNESCO shows that a total of 189 journalists were killed globally between 2024 and 2025. According to the report, more than two-thirds of these cases occurred in conflict zones, totaling 127.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany stated that "more and more journalists are paying the ultimate price in reporting from war fronts, while those who kill them are often not held accountable." The report indicates that the rate of impunity for journalist killings globally has risen for the first time since statistics began in 2012. In the 2024-2025 period, the proportion of unpunished killings rose from 85% in the previous two-year period to 86%.
El-Enany noted that armed conflicts accounted for 59 per cent of journalist killings recorded in 2024 and 2025. He also identified other emerging threats, such as gender-based online violence, which particularly targets women journalists. El-Enany called on all parties to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which was unanimously adopted in 2015 to protect journalists, media professionals, and related personnel as civilians in conflict situations.
The report highlighted a "worrying new threat" involving unmanned aerial vehicles. Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 50 journalists died in drone attacks, which accounts for 40% of the total number of journalists killed in conflict zones.
UNESCO also recorded seven incidents where multiple journalists were attacked and killed, including attacks on media workplaces and temporary news reporting centers. Furthermore, the report stated that 15 journalists were killed while wearing vests indicating their journalist identity or while inside vehicles clearly marked with the word "News".
There is a contrast between the situation in conflict and non-conflict countries. While the global situation has deteriorated, the rate of impunity for journalist killings in non-conflict countries has continued to decline steadily, dropping from 94% in 2012 to 77% in 2026, representing an average annual decline of about 1 percentage point. The number of journalist killings in non-conflict regions has fallen to 85, which is the lowest level in 18 years.
In Nigeria, Dr. Chinyere Amaechi, Convener of the Media Centre for Promotion of Safety Awareness, warned that journalists face increasing danger during election coverage. She cited data from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Reporters Without Borders, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists showing more than 40 attacks on journalists were recorded during the 2023 general elections. Ugo Onuoha, former Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, argued that the failure of successive Nigerian governments to guarantee security and welfare contributes to violence against journalists, noting that "journalists have increasingly become targets because their professional responsibilities often involve exposing wrongdoing, challenging those in authority, and holding public officials accountable."
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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