International Committee records 124 professionals killed in 18 countries, the largest number in 3 decades of monitoring
The (Journalist Protection Committee) recorded 124 reports of press professionals in 18 countries during 2024, the largest number since the beginning of monitoring more than 3 decades ago. According to the organization, Israel was responsible for 85 deaths, approximately 70% of the total.
The report, released on 12.FEV.2025, indicates that the conflict in Gaza represents the most lethal scenario for journalists in the history of the committee. The organization accuses the Israeli forces to try to prevent incident investigations, transfer responsibility to the victims, and ignore the duty to investigate the deaths.
In response to the accusations, Israel’s army said it did not receive sufficient information on the reported cases. “The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) has never sought and will never deliberately raise journalists”declared in a statement. Military Force claimed to adopt operational measures to reduce risks to journalists and civilians.
The 2024 numbers represent a significant increase compared to previous years. In 2023, 102 deaths were recorded. In 2022, 69 journalists lost their lives. The previous record had been recorded in 2007 with 113 deaths, half of them during the Iraq war.
Sudan and Pakistan appear in 2nd place among countries with the most deaths of journalists in the period. The CPJ has documented 24 press professionals in different countries, including Haiti, Mexico, Myanmar and Sudan. In 10 cases, the organization points to Israel as responsible for intentional deaths.
“Today is the most dangerous moment to be a journalist in the history of the CPJ”, said Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the organization. She highlighted the deterioration of global journalists protection norms in conflict zones.
The committee investigates another 20 cases in which it suspects that Israel may have deliberately shot press professionals. By 2025, 6 journalists have been killed in different regions.
