Perth, Nov 2: The number of journalists killed worldwide has risen sharply, with 189 deaths recorded between 2024 and 2025, as UNESCO warns that armed conflicts, growing risks to freelance journalists and widespread impunity continue to threaten press freedom.
According to UNESCO’s latest Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity, journalist killings increased by 20 per cent compared with the previous two-year period, reaching their highest level since 2014–2015.
Of those killed, 127 journalists, or 67 per cent, died in countries experiencing armed conflict. UNESCO also reported that 86 per cent of journalist killings worldwide remain unresolved, with perpetrators continuing to escape accountability.
The findings raise questions about the protection available to freelance journalists, particularly those reporting from conflict zones without the institutional support, insurance or safety resources traditionally provided to staff correspondents.
In responses to questions from DailyStraits, Tarja Turtia, UNESCO’s specialist on freedom of expression and journalist safety, highlighted the importance of labour protections alongside press freedom.
“The safety of journalists depends not only on freedom of expression but on the enjoyment of basic labour rights,” Turtia said.
She referred to a recent International Labour Organization report, Decent Work and the Safety of Journalists, which examines the responsibilities of media organisations, governments and other stakeholders in protecting journalists.
UNESCO’s report identifies a growing reliance on freelance and independently employed journalists as news organisations change their business models.
It notes that freelancers frequently lack basic safety training and newsroom support when covering armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies.
The report also highlights concerns about reduced access to protective equipment, legal assistance, social protection and psychological support.
While killings of staff journalists have declined in recent years, UNESCO’s findings indicate that deaths among non-staff journalists have increased, particularly since 2022.
The dangers extend beyond the journalists themselves, raising concerns about the financial security of families when a freelancer is killed or seriously injured while reporting.
Asked what safeguards journalists should consider before entering conflict zones to ensure their families are protected, Turtia said UNESCO and its partners provide assistance to journalists operating in crisis situations.
“UNESCO and its partners support journalists operating in conflict and crises around the world by providing holistic support, covering physical, psychological and digital safety in Afghanistan, Haiti, Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine,” she said.
However, her response did not specify insurance requirements or compensation arrangements for the families of freelance journalists.
On whether UNESCO or the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity provides insurance, compensation or emergency financial assistance, Turtia explained that the plan operates through cooperation among multiple organisations.
“The UN Plan is in reality a framework which recognises the unique and vital role of multiple different stakeholders to effectively respond to the issue of ensuring journalist safety,” she said.
These stakeholders include United Nations agencies, governments, journalist unions, civil society organisations and regional intergovernmental bodies.
The latest UNESCO figures also reveal the growing danger posed by drone warfare.
Of the journalists killed in countries experiencing armed conflict during 2024 and 2025, 40 per cent were reportedly killed by unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones.
Local journalists accounted for 90 per cent of those killed in conflict-affected countries, highlighting the risks faced by reporters covering events within their own communities.
The report also recorded 14 women journalists killed during the two-year period, with all but one death occurring in a conflict-affected country.
Beyond physical safety, UNESCO continues to raise concerns about the failure to bring those responsible for journalist killings to justice.
Its latest findings show that the global impunity rate has increased to 86 per cent, reversing earlier progress in reducing unresolved cases.
Asked what UNESCO is doing to assist families seeking justice and compensation, Turtia said the organisation continues to call for accountability in all journalist killings.
“UNESCO calls for justice for all killings of journalists,” she said.
She explained that the UNESCO Director-General condemns killings connected to journalistic work and regularly seeks information from governments about criminal investigations and judicial proceedings.
Every two years, UNESCO requests updates from countries with unresolved cases, with some government responses published through its Observatory of Killed Journalists.
UNESCO also organises the annual International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed on 2 November, to raise awareness of attacks against media workers and the continuing need for accountability.
Despite these initiatives, the organisation’s latest findings demonstrate the scale of the challenge.
Since UNESCO began systematically monitoring journalist killings in 2006, it has recorded 1,641 deaths worldwide, equivalent to approximately one journalist every four days.
With armed conflicts continuing to account for a substantial proportion of journalist deaths, the findings underscore the need for stronger protection, improved working conditions and greater accountability for crimes committed against the media.
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