CPJ says 129 journalists killed worldwide in 2025, with Israel responsible for two-thirds of press killings
A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, marking the deadliest year ever recorded for the press, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
In its annual report released Wednesday, the CPJ said Israel was responsible for nearly two-thirds of the global total, with most deaths occurring in active conflict zones.
It is the second consecutive year that global journalist killings have reached record levels since the organization began tracking press fatalities more than 30 years ago.
Israel and Gaza Account for Majority of Press Killings
According to the CPJ, 86 journalists were killed by Israeli fire in 2025. More than 60 percent of them were Palestinian reporters covering Gaza.
The Israeli military has consistently denied deliberately targeting journalists.
The report noted that over three-quarters of all journalist deaths in 2025 occurred in conflict settings, highlighting the growing dangers faced by reporters covering war zones.
Rising Threat from Drones in Conflict Zones
The CPJ also documented a sharp increase in the use of drones in journalist killings. Of 39 drone-related cases recorded globally, 28 were attributed to Israeli operations in Gaza and five to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.
In Ukraine, four journalists were killed by Russian military drones, marking the highest annual number of journalist deaths there since 15 were killed in 2022.
The findings reflect a growing trend of remote warfare technologies contributing to the risks faced by media workers.
Killings in Ukraine, Sudan, Mexico and Beyond
Beyond Gaza, journalist deaths rose in both Ukraine and Sudan compared to the previous year.
In Mexico, six journalists were killed in 2025, with all cases remaining unsolved. The Philippines recorded three fatal shootings of journalists.
The CPJ also reported killings linked to investigations into corruption and organized crime. A Bangladeshi journalist was hacked to death by suspects allegedly connected to a fraud ring, while similar crime-related deaths were documented in India and Peru.
Execution in Saudi Arabia Sparks Alarm
In Saudi Arabia, columnist Turki Al-Jasser was executed after being convicted on charges that the CPJ described as “spurious national security and financial crime allegations.”
It was the country’s first documented journalist killing since the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Growing Culture of Impunity
CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg warned that journalists are being killed in record numbers at a time when reliable information is more critical than ever.
The organization cited a persistent culture of impunity, with many killings lacking transparent investigations or accountability.
With conflict-driven violence, drone warfare and organized crime increasingly targeting reporters, 2025 stands as a grim milestone for global press freedom.
Source: Arab News