124 journalists killed in 2024, Israel mostly responsible, says CPJ

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has declared 2024 the deadliest year for journalists, with no fewer than 124 media workers killed globally while performing their duties.

In a report, yesterday, the organisation said journalists lost their lives in 18 countries, with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East accounting for the highest number of casualties. CPJ attributed the sharp rise in journalist fatalities, up by 22 per cent from 2023, to global conflicts, political unrest and rising criminality.

“The war in Gaza is unprecedented in its impact on journalists and demonstrates a major deterioration in global norms on protecting journalists in conflict zones,” CPJ CEO, Jodie Ginsberg, stated, adding: “But it is far from the only place where journalists are in danger. Our figures show journalists under attack worldwide.”

The Israel-Gaza war accounted for 85 journalist deaths, with CPJ stating that 82 of those killed were Palestinians. Outside of Gaza, Sudan and Pakistan recorded the second-highest number of journalist killings, with six deaths each. Sudan’s ongoing civil war and Pakistan’s escalating political unrest contributed to the spike in fatalities. CPJ found that at least 24 journalists were deliberately murdered in direct retaliation for their work.

In Gaza and Lebanon, CPJ documented 10 cases where journalists were deliberately targeted by Israeli forces, despite international laws protecting journalists as civilians in conflict zones. The remaining 14 targeted killings occurred in Haiti, Mexico, Pakistan, Myanmar, Mozambique, India, Iraq, and Sudan.

Freelance journalists, who often work without institutional support, accounted for more than 35 per cent (43) of all journalist deaths. In Gaza, 31 Palestinian freelancers were killed while covering the conflict, highlighting the dangers for independent reporters in war zones.

CPJ continues to call on Israel and Egypt to open access for international journalists to report freely from Gaza. Mexico recorded five journalist killings in 2024, maintaining its reputation as one of the most dangerous places for media professionals. CPJ cited ongoing failures in the country’s journalist protection mechanisms.

As part of its report, CPJ urged the creation of an international investigative task force to address crimes against journalists and ensure accountability. The trend of violence has continued into 2025, with six journalists already killed in the first weeks of the year, CPJ noted.