International Federation of Journalists’ (IFJ) has stated that one hundred and twenty-eight journalists and media workers, including 10 women, were killed in 2025.
Since 1990 and the launch of its annual Killed List, the IFJ has recorded 3,173 deaths worldwide, an average of 91 deaths per year, and 876 in the last ten years.
Meanwhile, the IFJ has also released the list of 533 journalists in jail. According to the list, China stands out as the world’s biggest jailer.
Likewise, for the third consecutive year, the Middle East and Arab World has been the region worst affected.
With 74 journalists killed, the Arab World region accounted for 58% of all media professionals killed worldwide. Yemen ranks second with 13 deaths, then Ukraine with eight.
Sudan reported six deaths, India and Peru four, and several other countries – including the Philippines, Mexico, Peru and Pakistan – each lost three journalists.
While analyzing the report, the Middle East and Arab World holds a macabre record for the number of journalists killed in 2025, with 74 deaths and 74 journalists are currently imprisoned.
Asia-Pacific region saw 15 deaths with four in India, three in Pakistan, three in the Philippines, two in Bangladesh, plus two in Afghanistan and one in Nepal whereas 277 are currently behind bars.
The IFJ has recorded 10 killings in Europe with eight in Ukraine, one in Russia and one in Turkey and 149 are imprisoned.
Nine media workers were killed in Africa in 2025. Sudan saw six and one each in Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Twenty-seven journalists are still imprisoned in Africa.
The American region has recorded 11 killings this year. four Peruvian journalist lost their live while Mexico recorded three, Colombia, Honduras and Ecuador have each recorded one killing and six journalists, including four in Venezuela imprisoned in the region
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “128 journalists killed in a single year is not just a statistic, it is a global crisis. These deaths are a brutal reminder that journalists are being targeted with impunity, simply for doing their job. Governments must act now to protect media workers, bring killers to justice, and uphold press freedom. The world can no longer wait: it is time for a United Nations convention that guarantees the safety and independence of journalists everywhere.”
In 2024, the IFJ documented122 deaths, including 14 women, and 516 imprisoned journalists.
