The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the largest global union of journalists’ trade unions in the world, representing over 600,000 media workers from 187 organisations in 146 countries, has released its 35th annual report documenting the deaths of 128 media professionals killed in relation to their work in 2025. Among the victims were 11 women and nine accidental deaths, underscoring what the Federation describes as a growing global crisis for press freedom.
According to the report, the killings reflect a disturbing trend in which journalists are increasingly targeted in conflicts, political repression, and efforts to control information. The IFJ urged United Nations member states to adopt the IFJ-led International Convention on the Safety and Independence of Journalists to combat violence and end impunity for crimes against media workers.
According to the report, for the third consecutive year, the Middle East and Arab World was the deadliest region, accounting for 74 deaths; 58% of the global total. The majority occurred in Gaza, Palestine, where 56 journalists were killed amid ongoing conflict before a fragile ceasefire in October 2025.
The report documents 18 journalists killed in Africa, including seven accidental deaths in Nigeria. Sudan was the continent’s deadliest country, where a television crew, three media workers and a driver, from the Sudanese National Television, were killed in a drone strike while reporting in Khartoum. In the Americas, Peru recorded four journalist killings, including radio presenter Mitzar Castillejos, who was shot after reporting on alleged corruption.
In Asia-Pacific, 15 journalists were killed, including Indian freelance reporter Mukesh Chandrakar, whose body was found in January 2026 after he exposed alleged corruption in a road project. Europe recorded 10 deaths, nine linked to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian journalists Olena Gramova and Yevgen Karmazin were killed in a drone strike while reporting in Kramatorsk.
The IFJ also highlighted the case of Palestinian journalist Walaa Al Jabari, killed alongside her family in an airstrike in Gaza. She was among the 56 Palestinian journalists killed in 2025.
IFJ President Dominique Pradalié condemned the continued targeting of journalists and called for urgent international action. “Year after year, journalists are killed for doing their jobs,” she said, emphasising the need for stronger legal protections and accountability to safeguard press freedom worldwide.
Download the report in English here.
