The 2024 report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reveals the killing of 145 journalists by the Israeli army in Gaza since October 2023, highlighting the alarming risks faced by media workers, particularly in conflict zones, which accounted for over half of this year’s journalist fatalities.
A total of 54 journalists were killed worldwide in 2024, with 31 of these deaths occurring in conflict zones such as Gaza, Iraq, Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine. Gaza emerged as the deadliest region, with nearly 30% of the fatalities. At least 35 journalists lost their lives there this year, many while reporting on the conflict.
Palestine has recorded the highest journalist death toll over the past five years, making it the most dangerous country for media workers. In response to these killings, RSF has filed multiple war crime complaints with the International Criminal Court, seeking accountability.
The report also highlights a troubling increase in the detention of journalists, with 550 media professionals currently imprisoned worldwide. This marks a 7% rise compared to 2023, largely driven by a surge in detentions in Russia and Israel. Since the start of the Gaza offensive, Israel has become the third-largest jailer of journalists globally, holding 41 individuals behind bars.
Four nations—China, Myanmar, Israel, and Belarus—together account for nearly half of the world’s imprisoned journalists. China remains the largest offender, with 124 journalists detained.
Beyond fatalities and imprisonment, the plight of 55 journalists held hostage and 95 reported missing worldwide adds another dimension to the challenges facing the press. Syria remains the epicentre of hostage situations, with 70% of cases linked to the Islamic State. New abductions have also been reported in Yemen and Mali.
Of those missing, nearly half are believed to be victims of enforced disappearances. Countries such as Mexico, Syria, and Palestine report high numbers of such cases, prompting RSF to urge the adoption of international conventions to address this issue.