Global media-safety body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has revealed that at least 153 journalists and media workers have been killed worldwide in 2025, marking the highest annual toll on record. The figure underscores the extreme risks faced by journalists, particularly those reporting from war zones such as Gaza and Ukraine, and renews calls for stronger protections and accountability.
According to PEC’s latest data, nearly two-thirds of the fatalities occurred in armed conflicts despite victims being clearly identified as members of the press. This alarming trend reflects the growing dangers faced by journalists covering wars and humanitarian crises, where they are often targeted or caught in crossfire while documenting events on the ground.
In Gaza, the ongoing conflict has made the region one of the most perilous for media workers. PEC reported that by September 2025, 56 journalists had lost their lives in Gaza alone, making it the deadliest region for media professionals this year. Meanwhile, Ukraine remains another dangerous zone for reporters, with journalists continuing to cover hostilities under the constant threat of shelling, detentions, and targeted attacks.
PEC stated that this unprecedented toll highlights not only the escalation of global violence but also the lack of accountability for crimes committed against journalists. The organization has urged United Nations Member States to support the creation of an independent international commission to investigate violations of humanitarian, criminal, and human rights laws committed against journalists. Such a mechanism, it argued, would strengthen monitoring, ensure accountability, and deter future attacks.
Experts warn that the increase in journalist fatalities poses a serious threat to media freedom and the public’s right to information. When journalists are silenced by violence or intimidation, the world loses access to transparent and factual reporting, especially in areas already struggling with censorship and misinformation. The absence of justice in cases involving attacks on journalists further perpetuates a culture of impunity, making journalism one of the most dangerous professions globally.
PEC emphasized that the killing of journalists without accountability sends a dangerous message to the world — that silencing truth-tellers is acceptable. It called for stronger international mechanisms, safety training, and better protective measures for journalists working in volatile environments.
The revelation that at least 153 journalists and media workers have been killed in 2025 marks a grim milestone in global press history. It represents not only a worsening security environment for those who risk their lives to report from conflict zones but also a broader decline in press freedom and democratic transparency. Without decisive global action, including legal accountability and enhanced safety measures, the toll on journalism could continue to rise, leaving the world more vulnerable to misinformation and silence in times when truth is most needed.
