International Federation of Journalists Releases Final 2025 Killed List
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has published its definitive Killed List for 2025, confirming that one hundred and twenty-eight journalists and media workers lost their lives during the year. This comprehensive report, released on December 31, reveals that ten of the victims were women, while nine deaths were classified as accidental.
2025: Another Devastating Year for Global Journalism
The IFJ has characterized 2025 as yet another catastrophic year for journalism worldwide, strongly condemning what it describes as the persistent failure of authorities to adequately protect media workers. The Federation is now issuing an urgent call for immediate and decisive action throughout 2026 to break what it terms the "cycle of violence and impunity" against journalists.
The final list incorporates seventeen additional cases that were verified after December 10, supplementing the preliminary report issued on December 9 which had recorded 111 deaths, including one accidental case. The updated figures reflect further killings documented in Palestine, Tanzania, Peru, and Guatemala, alongside accidental deaths occurring in Nigeria, Burundi, and Iran.
Historical Context and Global Statistics
Since the IFJ first launched its annual Killed List in 1990, the organization has meticulously documented 3,173 journalist deaths worldwide. This staggering number translates to an average of 91 deaths per year, with 876 fatalities recorded in just the past decade alone.
In a related concerning development, the Federation also reports that 533 journalists are currently imprisoned globally, with China identified as the world's largest jailer of media professionals.
Middle East Remains Most Dangerous Region
For the third consecutive year, the Middle East and Arab World has maintained its position as the most perilous region for journalists. In 2025 alone, 74 journalists were killed in this region, including 56 in Palestine. This represents a staggering 58% of all global journalist deaths for the year.
Other countries reporting significant numbers of journalist fatalities include:
- Yemen: 13 deaths
- Ukraine: 8 deaths
- Sudan: 6 deaths
- India and Peru: 4 deaths each
- Philippines, Mexico and Pakistan: 3 deaths each
These sobering statistics underscore the extreme risks faced by journalists operating in conflict zones and highlight the pressing need for enhanced protection measures for media professionals worldwide.
Remembering the Fallen
The IFJ's final list includes numerous journalists who lost their lives while performing their duties, such as Mukesh Chandrakar, Hassan Al-Qishawi, Omar Al-Derawi, Areej Shaheen, Saed Nabhan, Mohammed Al-Talmas, Ahmad Omar Al-Shaya, Calletano de Jesús Guerrero, Gastón Medina Sotomayor, and Ibrahim Ajaj, among many others memorialized in the complete report.
Call to Action and Related Developments
The International Federation of Journalists is intensifying its demands for concrete actions to end impunity for crimes against journalists. This urgent appeal comes amid broader regional tensions, including unverified social media reports circulating about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though these remain unconfirmed by official sources.
The IFJ emphasizes that protecting journalists is not merely about safeguarding individuals but is fundamentally about preserving the public's right to information and maintaining democratic accountability worldwide.
