In 2024, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) revealed that 54 journalists lost their lives worldwide, marking a significant loss for press freedom.
Gaza emerged as the most dangerous place for reporters, with Israeli military actions responsible for a third of these fatalities. Since Israel’s aggression in Gaza began in October 2023, the region has seen the highest number of journalist killings in recent years.
Overall, Israel has killed 145 journalists in Gaza over the past 14 months, including 42 while they were on duty. This raises concerns about the safety of journalists working in conflict zones, where they continue to face violence while attempting to report the truth.
RSF’s Secretary General, Théibaut Bertrand, emphasized that some of the journalists killed in Gaza were intentionally targeted, indicating a disturbing trend of journalists being treated as enemies. Israel, according to RSF, has been accused of labeling slain reporters as “terrorists,” adding to the challenges of reporting from the region.
Beyond Gaza, countries like China and Burma have become notorious for imprisoning and suppressing journalists. Russia, ranked fifth, continues to stifle independent reporting, particularly from Russian and Ukrainian journalists who attempt to cover the war. In non-conflict zones, Mexico remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with five killed in 2024 alone, adding to the 35 deaths over the last five years.
The report also highlighted that 55 journalists remain imprisoned across five countries, with Syria being the most severe offender. Nearly 70% of these journalists are held hostage in Syria, including American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared near Damascus in 2012. Despite ongoing efforts by RSF and the U.S. government, his whereabouts remain unknown.