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CPJ Report Indicates Highest Number of Journalists Killed in 2024
In 2024, at least 124 journalists lost their lives globally, making it the most lethal year for the profession since records started, with the Israel-Gaza conflict being a major contributing factor.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) announced on Wednesday that 2024 witnessed an unprecedented number of journalists killed worldwide, totaling at least 124 across 18 nations.
This marks the highest annual death toll for reporters and media personnel since the CPJ began its monitoring over 30 years ago.
The CPJ attributed nearly 70% of these fatalities to actions by Israeli forces during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, with 85 journalists reported killed in the area.
The organization condemned Israel for purportedly hampering investigations into these deaths, shifting responsibility onto journalists, and failing to account for the killings.
In response to the claims, the Israeli military argued that it had not received enough information to substantiate the allegations, reiterating its dedication to implementing operational measures aimed at minimizing harm to journalists and civilians.
They emphasized that they have never intentionally targeted journalists.
The number of journalists killed in 2024 sharply contrasts with earlier years, with 102 journalists losing their lives in 2023 and 69 in 2022. The previous high was in 2007, with 113 deaths, mainly linked to the Iraq War.
Besides the deaths in Gaza, the CPJ noted that Sudan and Pakistan reported the second highest toll of journalist fatalities in the previous year.
CEO Jodie Ginsberg commented that these statistics reflect the most dangerous conditions for journalists in the CPJ's recorded history.
The report revealed a notable rise in targeted killings of journalists, with at least 24 identified as deliberately murdered for their reporting in various countries, including Haiti, Mexico, Myanmar, and Sudan.
Of those, the CPJ is currently probing at least 10 cases involving alleged targeted killings by Israeli forces, along with 20 other incidents where it suspects specific targeting of journalists.
The context of these fatalities includes Israel's military response to the October 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, as well as around 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli sources.
Furthermore, Palestinian health authorities have reported that over 48,000 individuals, mostly civilians, have died due to Israel's retaliatory measures.
As of early 2025, the CPJ reported that at least six journalists and media workers have already been killed this year.
This marks the highest annual death toll for reporters and media personnel since the CPJ began its monitoring over 30 years ago.
The CPJ attributed nearly 70% of these fatalities to actions by Israeli forces during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, with 85 journalists reported killed in the area.
The organization condemned Israel for purportedly hampering investigations into these deaths, shifting responsibility onto journalists, and failing to account for the killings.
In response to the claims, the Israeli military argued that it had not received enough information to substantiate the allegations, reiterating its dedication to implementing operational measures aimed at minimizing harm to journalists and civilians.
They emphasized that they have never intentionally targeted journalists.
The number of journalists killed in 2024 sharply contrasts with earlier years, with 102 journalists losing their lives in 2023 and 69 in 2022. The previous high was in 2007, with 113 deaths, mainly linked to the Iraq War.
Besides the deaths in Gaza, the CPJ noted that Sudan and Pakistan reported the second highest toll of journalist fatalities in the previous year.
CEO Jodie Ginsberg commented that these statistics reflect the most dangerous conditions for journalists in the CPJ's recorded history.
The report revealed a notable rise in targeted killings of journalists, with at least 24 identified as deliberately murdered for their reporting in various countries, including Haiti, Mexico, Myanmar, and Sudan.
Of those, the CPJ is currently probing at least 10 cases involving alleged targeted killings by Israeli forces, along with 20 other incidents where it suspects specific targeting of journalists.
The context of these fatalities includes Israel's military response to the October 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, as well as around 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli sources.
Furthermore, Palestinian health authorities have reported that over 48,000 individuals, mostly civilians, have died due to Israel's retaliatory measures.
As of early 2025, the CPJ reported that at least six journalists and media workers have already been killed this year.