In its 2025 annual report, the International Federation of Journalists stated that 111 journalists were killed worldwide. Therefore, 2025 was an “annus horribilis” for the media—a catastrophic year marked by misfortunes and various atrocities. The overwhelming majority of deaths, 46%, were recorded in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
The report was published on the eve of International Human Rights Day, celebrated every 10 December.
2025 a deadly year for journalists worldwide.
According to Reporters Without Borders, the other organisation dedicated to journalists worldwide, 2025 will remain a deadly year for journalists. The France-based organisation specified: “Journalists do not die; they are killed.” Indeed, they are killed by regular armed forces or by organised crime, jihadist groups, or terrorists.
On the other hand, regarding journalists imprisoned around the world, the Federation counts 533 individuals. The People’s Republic of China leads the countries with the highest number of journalists in prison, followed by Russia and Myanmar.
According to Thibaut Bruttin, Director-General of RSF, “From being privileged witnesses of history, journalists have gradually become collateral victims, inconvenient witnesses, bargaining chips, pawns in diplomatic games, men and women to be eliminated.”
Africa: Where do we stand?
In Africa, nine media professionals were killed in 2025. Sudan remains the epicentre of this violence, with six journalist deaths. The IFJ notes one murder in Mozambique, one in Somalia, and one in Zimbabwe. The east of the continent was difficult for the population but also for journalists throughout 2025. Here and there, in West Africa as well, there have been abuses and pockets of insecurity for journalists.
Twenty-seven journalists remain imprisoned on the African continent, often on the basis of spurious charges. Eritrea, with seven journalists imprisoned, continues to lead the continent in this regard.
Meanwhile, RSF counts 135 journalists missing worldwide, some of whom have been missing for more than 30 years, and unfortunately 20 journalists are still being held hostage, mainly in Syria and Yemen.
Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists.
Yet, at the international level, there is a United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the issue of Impunity, which struggles to be fully and effectively implemented… and this is regrettable. This plan of action, monitored and implemented by UNESCO, contains concrete elements that would help prevent crimes against journalists. The international organisation states very clearly in this document: “When a journalist is attacked for their work, it is not only the individual right of the journalist to freedom of expression that is violated, but also the collective rights of society to access information.” Silencing a journalist should not be the concern of an individual or a journalists’ union alone; it is an issue that affects society as a whole.”.
It is important to protect journalists and to give them the space they need to carry out their work. We should all say STOP to the killing of journalists, STOP to any attempt to intimidate or manipulate the press in general.
It should be noted that statistics may differ from one organisation to another due to varying calculation methods. For example, according to UNESCO, 91 journalists would be killed in 2025, compared to 67 according to RSF and 111 according to the IFJ.