The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported today that 128 journalists were killed globally in 2025, with over half of those deaths occurring in the Middle East. The alarming figures highlight the increasing dangers faced by reporters worldwide.
IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, described the situation as a “global red alert” for journalists. He emphasized that the number of fatalities, significantly higher than in 2024, represents more than just statistics; it signifies a grave threat to press freedom and the safety of media professionals.
The IFJ expressed particular concern over the situation in the Palestinian territories, especially the Gaza Strip, where 56 journalists were killed during the year. “We have never seen anything like this before, this large number of deaths in such a short time, and in such a small space,” Bellanger stated, underscoring the unprecedented scale of the tragedy.
Beyond the Middle East, journalists also lost their lives in 2025 in other regions, including Yemen, Ukraine (among them French photojournalist Antoine Lalekan), Sudan, Peru, and India. These incidents underscore the global nature of the risks journalists face while performing their duties.
Bellanger strongly condemned the impunity enjoyed by those responsible for these attacks. “Without justice, the killers of journalists are allowed to thrive,” he warned, highlighting the critical need for accountability and investigations into these crimes.
The IFJ also raised concerns about the number of journalists imprisoned worldwide, which currently stands at 533. More than a quarter of these cases are in China and Hong Kong, raising questions about the state of press freedom in those regions. The organization continues to advocate for the release of all journalists unjustly detained.
The IFJ’s annual death toll is typically higher than that reported by other organizations, such as Reporters Without Borders, due to differences in methodology. The IFJ includes journalists who died in work-related accidents in its figures.
