24.02.2025 Media industry
The Deadliest Year for Journalism. 124 Fatalities in 2024
Krzysztof Fiedorek
The year 2024 was the deadliest for media professionals since the Committee to Protect Journalists began tracking these statistics. The tragic figures, published in CPJs latest special report, reached record highs in most monitored categories.
w wydaniu polskim
illustration: DALL-EAt least 124 journalists and media workers lost their lives last year. This surpasses the 2007 record, when the Iraq War accounted for nearly half of the 113 journalist casualties. A staggering 85 journalists were killed in the Israel-Palestine conflict zone. In total, deaths were documented in 16 countries, with the highest numbers in:
| Country | Journalists Killed in 2024 |
|---|---|
| Gaza Strip | 82 |
| Sudan | 6 |
| Pakistan | 6 |
| Mexico | 5 |
| Syria | 4 |
| Myanmar | 3 |
| Iraq | 3 |
| Haiti | 2 |
More global conflicts mean greater danger for journalists. The number of wars - both political and criminal - has doubled over the past five years.
CPJ`s database of journalist fatalities is divided into two main categories: "confirmed" and "unconfirmed." Deaths are classified as "confirmed" when evidence shows the journalist was killed due to their work and "unconfirmed" when there is insufficient information to determine the motive.
Who Dies on the Front Lines?
Among the victims were both reporters working for major organizations and freelancers, who often take the greatest risks. Of the 124 journalists killed in 2024, 43 were independent journalists.
- 31 freelancers were killed in Gaza, where many journalists lost their jobs after their newsrooms were destroyed.
- Independent reporters are more often without protective equipment and financial support.
- In 2024, CPJ provided financial aid to 114 freelancers, 31 more than the previous year.
In Gaza, freelancers played a crucial role, as the Israeli military restricted foreign journalists` access to the area. Their reports became the primary source of information for global media.
| Indicator | 2024 | Previous Record |
|---|---|---|
| Total Journalists Killed | 124 | 113 (2007) |
| Total Work-Related Killings | 103 | 81 (2023) |
| Highest Number of Journalists Killed in a Single Country | 85 | 78 (2023) |
| Freelancers Killed | 43 | 24 (2013) |
The tragic figures published in CPJ’s latest special report were the highest in all monitored categories.
Targeted Killings and Drones as Weapons
Not all journalists die from shelling or airstrikes. CPJ documented at least 24 targeted killings of journalists in 2024.
One example is Hamza Al Dahdouh, a cameraman for Al Jazeera, who was killed on January 7 in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza. He was accompanied by independent reporter Mustafa Thuraya. Both were returning from covering refugee stories when their vehicle was hit.
Another victim was 27-year-old Ismail Al Ghoul, a journalist for Al Jazeera Arabic TV, who, along with his colleague Rami Al Refee, was killed in July in an Israeli drone strike on their vehicle. CPJ emphasizes that journalist murders stem from increasing impunity. The fewer investigations and convictions, the higher the number of victims in the coming years.
CPJ’s special report also highlights that an increasing number of journalists are being killed in drone attacks.
- 4 out of 10 targeted killings in Gaza were carried out using drones.
- In Iraq and Syria, Turkish drones killed reporters suspected of having ties to Kurdish militants.
- In Pakistan, journalists fell victim to attacks linked to extremist activities.
In Myanmar, journalists have started being treated as enemies of the regime. Win Htut Oo and Htet Myat Thu were shot dead in August by military forces in their home.
Countries That Do Not Protect Journalists
Some governments not only fail to prosecute perpetrators but actively attempt to cover up crimes against journalists. CPJ provides several examples:
- Israel regularly accuses slain reporters of collaborating with terrorist organizations.
- Pakistan has ignored journalist murder investigations for years.
- Myanmar considers reporters enemies of the state and suppresses independent media.
- Mexico remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with authorities rarely conducting effective investigations.
CPJ’s 2024 special report stresses that systemic impunity encourages further attacks on journalists, leading to a growing number of victims each year.
***
The full Committee to Protect Journalists special report is available at https://cpj.org/.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
Women in media 2025. Editorial power knows no equality
KFi
Only 27% of editors-in-chief in the media are women, even though they make up 40% of journalists. In 9 out of 12 countries studied by the Reuters Institute, women in media are less likely to get promoted. It seems that equality in newsrooms is lagging behind broader society. And the gaps go much further.
User Generated Content. A minefield for journalists and media
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Over 40% of internet users judge information credibility by likes and views. Only 20% use traditional news channels as a main and first source. A Reuters Institute report highlights the scale and risks of User Generated Content and offers advice on how media can avoid falling into its trap.
Social Media in 2025. Generational Differences Are Crystal Clear
KFi
More and more people are saying they’re cutting back on time spent on social media. And while this doesn’t mean a mass exodus, the trend is clear. According to latest GWI report, 31% of users said they had reduced their social media use. There’s also a subtle frustration.
See articles on a similar topic:
The Deadliest Year for Journalism. 124 Fatalities in 2024
Krzysztof Fiedorek
The year 2024 was the deadliest for media professionals since the Committee to Protect Journalists began tracking these statistics. The tragic figures, published in CPJs latest special report, reached record highs in most monitored categories.
Virtual Influencers Perceived as More Authentic than Real Ones
Agnieszka Kliks-Pudlik
Virtual influencers are fictional, generated characters that imitate the appearance and behaviour of real people. They have millions of followers. They are perceived by Gen-Alpha as even more authentic than real people, which creates many challenges, says Dr. Ada Florentyna Pawlak.
Decline in Trust in Media. Analysis of the Reuters Digital News Report 2024
Krzysztof Fiedorek
The “Digital News Report 2024” by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism highlights alarming trends concerning the declining interest in news and decreasing trust in media. These changes are not temporary but have become a long-term trend.
Television, Trends, and Viewer Habits. EBU Report
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Young Europeans watch television for an average of only 72 minutes a day, and in some countries, less than 30 minutes. Traditional television is giving way to TikTok, Netflix, and YouTube. Viewer habits are changing dramatically before our eyes. What does this mean for the future of media?
