The figures, which include 10 women and nine accidental deaths, mark another deadly year for journalism.
At least 128 journalists and media workers lost their lives across the world in 2025, highlighting a grim casualty toll for the profession, according to the International Federation of Journalists’ (IFJ) final ‘Killed List’ released on December 31.
The figures, which include 10 women and nine accidental deaths, mark another deadly year for journalism.
The IFJ said the deaths reflected the continued exposure of media workers to violence, particularly in conflict zones, and the persistent failure of authorities to ensure accountability.
The final list represents an increase from a preliminary count of 111 killings released on December 9, after 17 additional cases were confirmed later in the month.
These included deaths reported in Palestine, Tanzania, Peru and Guatemala, as well as accidental deaths of seven media workers in Nigeria, one in Burundi and one in Iran.
Regionally, the Middle East and Arab World recorded the highest number of casualties, with 74 journalists killed, accounting for 58 per cent of the global total. Of these, 56 were killed in Palestine amid the war in Gaza.
Yemen followed with 13 deaths, Ukraine recorded eight, and Sudan six. India and Peru each reported four killings, while several countries, including the Philippines, Mexico, Peru and Pakistan, recorded three deaths each.
In the Asia-Pacific region, 15 journalists were killed, while Europe recorded 10 deaths, mostly linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Africa recorded nine work-related journalist killings, largely driven by the conflict in Sudan, while the Americas recorded 11 deaths, with Peru emerging as the deadliest country in the region.
The IFJ noted that the 2025 toll exceeded the 122 journalist deaths recorded in 2024, when 14 women were killed, underscoring what it described as a worsening global trend.
Reacting to the figures, 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.”