IFJ says 128 journalists killed worldwide in 2025, Middle East worst hit
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) announced on Wednesday that 128 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, marking another deadly year for the profession and underscoring persistent impunity for crimes against the press.
In its final Killed List released on December 31, the IFJ said the victims included 10 women and nine accidental deaths. The tally reflects 17 additional cases confirmed after December 10, revising an earlier figure of 111 killings reported earlier this month.
It added that the deaths were recorded across multiple regions, with the Middle East and Arab World remaining the deadliest, accounting for 74 killings, or 58 percent of the global total. Of those, 56 journalists were killed in Palestine amid the war in Gaza, while Yemen ranked second with 13 deaths. Ukraine recorded eight killings, followed by Sudan with six, and India and Peru with four each.
The IFJ noted that since it began publishing its annual Killed List in 1990, it has documented 3,173 journalist deaths worldwide, including 876 over the past decade.
In addition to fatalities, the Federation reported that 533 journalists are currently imprisoned globally, with China standing out as the world’s largest jailer of media workers.
The Middle East and Arab World also saw widespread detentions, with 74 journalists behind bars, according to the IFJ report.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger described the figures as “a global crisis,” urging governments to take immediate action to protect journalists, end impunity, and support a United Nations convention guaranteeing the safety and independence of media professionals.