According to UNESCO data, from August 2023 to May 2025, there were 163 registered killings of media personnel, of which 109 occurred in armed conflict situations. The highest number of victims was recorded in Gaza (46), Sudan (13), and Ukraine (8).
It is important to note that cases of journalist killings continue to occur even in peaceful countries. In particular, in Mexico, according to UNESCO, the situation is proving to be more dangerous than in some conflict zones: during the specified period, 15 journalists were killed there. The highest number of registered killings occurred in Arab countries (82), followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (34), Asia and the Pacific region (30), as well as Europe and North America (12).
The impunity that prevails in many states is explained by deficiencies in the law enforcement system, corruption in the judiciary, and a lack of political will. There are also noted connections between corrupt businessmen, politicians, and organized crime.
The organization "Reporters Without Borders" reports that between 2023 and 2025, at least 1,163 journalists were detained, of which 568 remain in custody in 48 countries. Almost half of all cases of detention occurred in five countries: Belarus, China, Israel, Myanmar, and the Russian Federation.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the abuse of legislation, including defamation laws and anti-terrorism laws, the application of which often contradicts international norms.
António Guterres emphasized that "free and independent journalism is an essential public good," and journalists must be able to work without fear or bias. However, he stated that attacks on media workers continue worldwide.
To address the issues faced by journalists, effective and timely measures must be taken. The Secretary-General calls on states to put an end to the impunity for the killings of journalists, which has reached an "unacceptably high level," by conducting thorough, impartial, and independent investigations.
"When journalists are forced to be silent, we all lose our voice," said António Guterres. "Let us together protect press freedom, demand accountability so that those who speak the truth to power can do so without fear."An illustrative photo is featured on the main page: UN News Service.
