by Nava Thakuria
Guwahati: As 2025 draws to a close, it stands out as one of the deadliest years for journalists since the beginning of the 21st century, second only to 2024. At least 165 media professionals were killed across 31 countries during the year, according to the Geneva-based global media safety and rights body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC). The toll follows 2024, which recorded 179 journalist deaths worldwide.
Regional breakdown: the Middle East topped the list with 87 deaths, followed by Latin America (27), Asia (23), Africa (16), Europe (10) and the United States (2). The Gaza Strip alone accounted for at least 60 journalists, almost all killed in Israeli strikes. Since hostilities erupted following the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, at least 221 Palestinian media workers have been killed in Gaza (81 in 2023 and 80 in 2024).
Wars and conflict zones
The war between Ukraine and Russia claimed nine journalists in 2025—killed by either Ukrainian or Russian fire. Three Ukrainian journalists were among the dead, along with French journalist Antoni Lallican in Ukraine, while five Russian journalists were killed by Ukrainian fire in border regions of Ukraine and Russia. Several other Ukrainian journalists died while serving in the armed forces.
According to Institute of Mass Information (Ukraine), 120 journalists have been killed in Ukraine since the large-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022, including those who died in combat. Comparable statistics for Russian journalists enlisted in the armed forces are not available.
“The increasing use of undetectable, ultra-fast drones poses a new and serious threat to war reporters on both sides. Access to victims is even more restricted,” said Blaise Lempen, President of the PEC.
Countries most affected
PEC expressed grave concern over Yemen, where 15 media workers were killed in 2025, including 13 in an Israeli attack on September 10. Mexico remained among the most dangerous countries for journalists, with nine murders, largely linked to violence by drug traffickers. The situation in Sudan also deteriorated amid ongoing fighting, with at least eight deaths among Sudanese media personnel.
Other country-wise figures recorded by PEC include:
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India (6)
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Ecuador (5)
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Pakistan (5)
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Bangladesh (5)
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Iran (4) — targeted in an Israeli strike in Tehran
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Philippines (4)
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Peru (4)
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Syria (3)
Countries that lost two journalists each include Afghanistan, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, and the United States. One death each was recorded in Brazil, Haiti, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Turkey, and Zimbabwe.
Impunity remains the core concern
Among PEC’s principal concerns is impunity. The absence of independent investigations and prosecutions continues to fuel violence against journalists. PEC supports recommendations from the Doha Conference on the Protection of Journalists in Armed Conflicts (held on 8–9 October in Qatar), which called for the creation of an international commission of inquiry under UN auspices, pending the adoption of an international convention on protecting journalists in conflict zones and the establishment of an internationally recognised press emblem.
South and Southeast Asia: country details
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria reported that India lost six media professionals in 2025, up from four in 2024. Those killed included:
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Mukesh Chandrakar (NDTV stringer, Bastar, Chhattisgarh)
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Raghavendra Vajpayee (Dainik Jagran, Imalia Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh)
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Sahadev Dey (Republic Andaman, Diglipur, Andaman Islands)
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Dharmendra Singh Chauhan (Fast News India, Gurugram, Haryana)
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Naresh Kumar (Times Odia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha)
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Rajeev Pratap Singh (Delhi Uttarakhand Live, Joshiyara, Uttarakhand)
Additionally, the suspected murder of Pankaj Mishra, a freelance journalist from Dehradun, was reported.
In Pakistan, which recorded 12 journalist murders in 2024, five media workers were killed in 2025:
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AD Shar (Hum News, Khairpur, Sindh)
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Abdul Latif (Daily Intekhab/Aaj News, Awaran, Balochistan)
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Syed Mohammed Shah (Ab-Tak TV, Jacobabad, Sindh)
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Imtiaz Mir (Metro One News, Karachi, Sindh)
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Tufail Rind (Royal News, Ghotki, Sindh)
Bangladesh, after seven journalist killings in 2024, recorded five deaths in 2025:
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Assaduzzaman Tuhin (Dainik Pratidiner Kagoj, Gazipur)
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Bibhuranjan Sarkar (Ajker Patrika, Munshiganj)
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Wahed-uz-Zaman Bulu (Dainik Ajker Kagoj, Dhaka)
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Khandahar Shah Alam (Dainik Matrijagat, Dhaka)
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Imdadul Haque Milon (Bartaman Somoy, Shalua)
The Philippines, which had one casualty in 2024, lost four journalists in 2025:
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Juan Johny Dayang (Philippine Graphic Magazine, Aklan)
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Erwin Labitad Segovia (Radio WOW FM, Bislig City)
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Noel Bellen Samar (DWTZ, Guinabatan)
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Gerry Campos (Barangay Sta. Cruz, Surigao del Sur)
Afghanistan reported two deaths—Abdul Ghafoor Abid (Paktia National Radio Television, Khost) and Abdul Zahir Safi (state-run media outlet, Kabul)—after recording none in 2024. Nepal repeated its 2024 toll with the killing of Suresh Rajak (Avenues TV, Kathmandu) in 2025.
Meanwhile, Myanmar (three deaths in 2024), Cambodia (one), Indonesia (one), along with Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, reported no journalist casualties in 2025.
