Record 129 journalists killed worldwide in 2025

A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), marking the second consecutive year in which the toll has reached an all-time high.

The CPJ attributes 86 of the deaths to Israeli military actions, primarily in connection with the war in Gaza. Most of those killed were Palestinian journalists reporting from the territory. The figure also includes 31 media workers who died in an Israeli strike on a Houthi-run media centre in Sanaa, Yemen. Israel said the site served as a propaganda facility for the Houthi movement.

Overall, the organisation reports that at least 104 of the 129 deaths were directly linked to armed conflicts. In 47 cases, the CPJ concluded that the journalists were deliberately targeted.

Journalists were also reported killed in countries including Sudan, Mexico, the Philippines and Ukraine. In Ukraine, according to the report, four media workers were killed in attacks by Russian forces.

The CPJ warns that the true scale of the losses may be higher still, citing limited access to parts of Gaza and other conflict zones.

(reuters, pir)