The Rising Perils of Journalism: 2024 Marks the Deadliest Year for Media Workers
In a sobering reminder of the escalating dangers faced by journalists worldwide, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has declared 2024 as the most perilous year on record for media workers. The annual report released by the CPJ revealed that at least 124 journalists were killed in 18 countries last year, surpassing the previous high of 113 deaths recorded in 2007 during the height of the Iraq War. This grim milestone underscores a troubling trend: the profession of journalism has never been more hazardous, and the global community is failing to protect those who risk their lives to uncover the truth.
The CPJ’s findings paint a harrowing picture of the risks journalists face, with a significant portion of the fatalities directly linked to military conflicts. Israel’s war on Gaza emerged as the deadliest flashpoint, accounting for more than two-thirds of the total deaths. At least 85 journalists were killed by Israeli military forces in 2024, with 82 of these victims being Palestinian. The CPJ has accused Israel of not only perpetrating these killings but also of attempting to obstruct investigations, deflect blame onto the journalists themselves, and avoid accountability for its military actions. This troubling pattern of behavior has led to widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates, who argue that such actions undermine the fundamental principles of journalism and global norms protecting media workers in conflict zones.
The Gaza Strip, already a tinderbox of violence and humanitarian crises, has become an exceptionally dangerous place for journalists. Freelance reporters, many of whom are Palestinians, have borne the brunt of the violence, with 31 of the 43 freelance journalists killed worldwide in 2024 losing their lives while reporting from Gaza. These individuals often operate without the resources or protections afforded to staff journalists, making them particularly vulnerable. The CPJ has repeatedly called on Israel and Egypt to allow greater access to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where international media are rarely permitted to report except under tightly controlled conditions. This restriction has left freelance journalists as the primary sources of information from the besieged enclave, a role that has proven deadly.
While Gaza accounted for the majority of journalist deaths in 2024, other regions also saw alarming levels of violence against media workers. Sudan and Pakistan were jointly ranked as the second most dangerous countries for journalists, with six deaths in each. Additionally, the CPJ documented a disturbing rise in targeted killings, with at least 24 journalists deliberately murdered because of their work. These cases spanned multiple countries, including Haiti, Mexico, Myanmar, Mozambique, India, Iraq, and Sudan. Among the most egregious examples were the killings of 10 journalists by Israeli forces in Gaza and Lebanon, while 14 others were assassinated in other conflict zones. This surge in targeted violence highlights the growing dangers faced by journalists who dare to report on sensitive issues, from government corruption to organized crime.
The CPJ’s report also sheds light on the personal stories of some of the journalists who lost their lives in 2024. Among them were Al Jazeera Arabic journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul and his cameraman, Rami al-Rifi, who were killed on July 31, 2024, when Israeli forces bombed their car in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza. Despite Israel’s claims that the killings were unintentional, Al Jazeera characterized the attack as a “targeted assassination” and vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible. Tragically, the violence against Palestinian journalists has continued into 2025, with reporter Ahmad al-Shayah being among six media workers killed in a drone strike on a charity facility in southern Gaza in January.
The CPJ’s annual report serves as a stark reminder of the immense risks journalists take to bring vital information to the public. As the world grapples with rising authoritarianism, ongoing conflicts, and the erosion of press freedom, the plight of journalists in 2024 stands as a testament to the enduring importance of their work—and the urgent need for greater protections. In the words of CPJ’s chief, Jodie Ginsberg, “Today is the most dangerous time to be a journalist in CPJ’s history.” The international community must take decisive action to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure that journalists can operate without fear of violence or reprisal. Only then can the truth continue to be told, and the principles of democracy and press freedom be upheld.
