CPJ: Israel the Country with the Most Journalist Killings in History in 2025

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has released its annual report, which states that 2025 was the darkest period for global press freedom. A total of 129 media workers died worldwide, the highest number since records began in 1992. Of this number, Israel is responsible for the deaths of at least 84 journalists, making it the country with the most journalist killings in modern history.

The CPJ report, released on Wednesday (25/2) local time, highlights the existence of a “persistent culture of impunity” within the Israeli military. More than two-thirds of the total number of journalist deaths worldwide last year were caused by Israeli attacks, targeting Palestinian journalists in Gaza and media staff in Yemen.

The CPJ classified 47 incidents of journalist deaths as “deliberate killings” or targeted killings. Tragically, Israel was behind 38 cases in this category. Some of the names on the list of victims include Al Jazeera journalists such as Anas al-Sharif and Hossam Shabat.

“Israel has now killed more journalists than any other government since the CPJ began collecting data,” the organization said in a statement.

The CPJ also warned that the actual number is likely much higher. Restrictions on press access and the destruction of physical evidence due to the war in Gaza have made it difficult to conduct in-depth investigations into the alleged war crimes.

In response to international criticism, Israel often claims that the journalists targeted had ties to armed groups. However, the CPJ strongly denies these claims and calls them “deadly smears” to justify attacks on civilians.

In addition to the conflict in the Middle East, the report noted Sudan as the next deadliest region with 9 deaths due to civil war, followed by Mexico with 6 deaths, and Ukraine with 4 journalists killed as a result of the Russian invasion. (Al-Jazeera/B-3)

Three Palestinian journalists died while working for an Egyptian aid organization in Gaza.

ISRAEL launched another air strike targeting medical facilities in the Gaza Strip. The attack on Monday (25/8) hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing five journalists.

The West Jakarta Police are investigating the death of a journalist from Palu, Central Sulawesi, with the initials SW, 33, in a hotel room in West Jakarta. Three witnesses are being questioned.

The CPJ urges the international community to stop Israel’s long-standing pattern of impunity in the killing of journalists.