CPJ Records 129 Journalist Deaths in 2025 as Israeli Forces Linked to Two-Thirds
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 17
CPJ Records 129 Journalist Deaths in 2025 as Israeli Forces Linked to Two-Thirds
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 17
Summary
CPJ counted 129 journalists and media workers killed in 2025, the highest annual toll on record and five more than the previous record set in 2024.
Two-thirds of those deaths were attributed by CPJ to Israeli forces, with most killings concentrated in Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon, Yemen and Iran.
Gaza remained the deadliest assignment: reporters described unmarked danger zones near the “yellow line,” sudden strikes and evacuation attempts disrupted by gunfire.
The risks now extend beyond the Middle East, with drone threats complicating coverage along Ukraine’s 750-mile frontline and a shooting rattling journalists at a White House Correspondents’ dinner in April.
The report underscores a broader shift in which journalists are increasingly seen as targets rather than bystanders, forcing newsrooms to invest more heavily in security to keep reporting from conflict zones.
With journalist deaths at a record high, what evidence proves they are now being deliberately targeted in conflict zones worldwide?
Can sharing journalists' locations with armies for safety backfire, making them targets or compromising their neutrality in conflict zones?
Beyond condemnation, what can enforce international law to dismantle deadly 'free-fire zones' like the 'yellow line' in Gaza and Lebanon?
Record Journalist Deaths in 2025: Gaza Conflict, Drone Warfare, and the Global Collapse of Press Protections
Overview
In 2025, journalist fatalities reached a record high, driven mainly by intense conflict zones, with Gaza standing out as the most dangerous place for reporters. The ongoing hostilities there led to a sharp increase in deaths, while a severe lack of accountability—especially for killings involving Israeli forces—left journalists more vulnerable than ever. This persistent impunity undermined press freedom worldwide, creating an environment where those reporting from the frontlines faced escalating risks and little hope for justice. The crisis highlighted the urgent need for stronger protections and accountability to safeguard journalists and uphold the public’s right to information.