“The Israeli military has carried out more targeted killings of members of the press than any other government army to date, with the vast majority being Palestinian journalists and media workers in Gaza,” the U.S.-based non-governmental organization said.
Beyond the war in Gaza (86 journalists killed), the two other deadliest conflicts for the press were Ukraine (four deaths) and Sudan (nine deaths), the CPJ noted.
“One of the most striking observations in recent years is the increased use of drones,” with 39 documented cases, compared to just two in 2023, Carlos Martinez de la Serna, the organization’s program director, told AFP.
Also read: Israel partially reopens Gaza’s Rafah crossing
In addition to armed conflicts, organized crime has also been particularly deadly for members of the press.
In Mexico, six journalists were killed in 2025, alongside several cases recorded in India and Peru.
In Saudi Arabia, prominent columnist Turki al-Jasser was executed by the state in June after being convicted on multiple charges that the CPJ described as “fabricated allegations” used to punish journalists.
This is the first documented killing of a journalist in the Gulf country since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
“Journalists are being killed in record numbers at a time when access to information is more important than ever. Attacks on the press are a key indicator of attacks on other freedoms, and much more must be done to prevent these killings and hold those responsible to account. We are all at risk when journalists are killed for reporting the news,” said CPJ Executive Director Jodie Ginsberg.
