Record 129 journalists and media workers killed in 2025, mostly by Israel, says CPJ
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported a record 129 journalists and media workers were killed globally in 2025, with two-thirds of these deaths attributed to Israel. This marks an unprecedented toll on media professionals, raising alarm for press freedom.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released a report on February 25, 2026, documenting a record 129 journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2025, the highest number since the organization began collecting data over three decades ago. This marked the second consecutive year of record press fatalities, with Israel responsible for approximately two-thirds (about 86) of these deaths. The majority of those killed by Israeli forces were Palestinian journalists covering the Gaza conflict, where over 60% of the 86 journalists killed by Israeli fire were Palestinians. The CPJ report highlighted that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) accounted for two-thirds of all press killings in both 2024 and 2025, committing more targeted killings of journalists than any other government's military since 1992.
CPJ documented 47 cases of journalists murdered due to their work in 2025, with Israel responsible for 81% of these targeted killings. The actual number may be higher due to constraints in Gaza like restricted access and destroyed infrastructure. At least 104 deaths occurred in conflict zones, with Ukraine seeing 4 deaths and Sudan 9, but these numbers paled in comparison to Israel's toll. The report noted a significant surge in drone strike killings, with 39 journalists killed by drones in 2025, up from just 2 in 2023. This included 28 by Israel in Gaza, 5 by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, 4 by Russia in Ukraine, and 1 suspected Turkish strike in Iraq.
The report emphasized that few transparent investigations occurred, with no accountability in any of the 47 targeted killings. CPJ attributed rising global deaths to a culture of impunity, citing failures in countries like Mexico, India, and the Philippines. The organization described Israel's actions as 'deliberate and unlawful targeting' of journalists, representing a paradigm shift in press safety, especially under Gaza's extreme conditions where independent foreign press was banned. CPJ called for international task forces and sanctions to address this crisis.
Regarding the Philippines, CPJ noted three journalists killed in the country in 2025, including veteran publisher Juan Dayang. The Philippines ranks among non-war zones like Mexico and India with failed justice for press killings, with only one case resulting in an arrest. The country has a persistent history of impunity for journalist murders, with CPJ archives highlighting ongoing safety issues and prior impunity in cases like Gerry Ortega's murder. The report underscores the global crisis in press freedom and the urgent need for international action to protect journalists and hold perpetrators accountable.
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