122 Journalists were killed during 2024 amid global conflicts
A Grim Year for media
By: Sualiha Zubair
Srinagar: With a record 122 media professionals losing lives across various conflict zones, the year 2024 has become yet another perilous year for journalists worldwide.
From airstrikes in Gaza to targeted killings in other war zones, journalists became key casualties, bearing the weight of their duty to tell the truth in increasingly hostile environments.
According to an annual report by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the war in Gaza and Lebanon was the main cause behind the high number of deaths. A total of 64 Palestinian journalists, six Lebanese journalists and one Syrian journalist were killed by the end of 2024. This figure represented 58% of the total 122 journalists who died in the previous year. The war in Ukraine also claimed lives of four journalists.
In Asia-Pacific, the IFJ report mentioned the murder of seven journalists in Pakistan, five in Bangladesh, three in India, one in Cambodia and one in the Philippines. In Africa, ten journalists were murdered in 2024.
In the report published on 31 December 2024, the IFJ also counted 516 journalists in prison, representing a sharp increase compared with 2023 (427) and 2022 (375). “With 135 journalists behind bars, China, including Hong Kong remained the world’s biggest prison for media professionals. Followed by Israel where 59 Palestinian journalists are behind the bars and Myanmar where 44 journalists are jailed,” read the report.
The IFJ had previously recorded 129 journalists killed and 427 imprisoned in 2023, making 2024 quite at par with these numbers, showing no improvement.
Among the deadliest regions for journalists previous year was Gaza, giving most tragic stories of 2024 related to condition of press. As the violence between Israel and Palestinian groups escalated, journalists reporting from the frontline found themselves not just observers, but primary targets. Whether caught in airstrikes, crossfires during firefights, or directly hit by sniper fire, the dangers surrounded them as they became voice for voiceless. Despite the risk, they continued to report.
From October 7, 2023, to December 25, 2024, at least 217 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, including 192 male and 25 female journalists. Pertinent to mention, 89 people of these were between 21- 31 years of age.
Inspiration and Caution: Views of Kashmir’s Aspiring Journalists
For young, budding journalists in Kashmir—many of whom work on stories that involve local and international political sensitivities—the global crisis facing journalists is both an inspiration and a grim warning.
Nida Mehraj (24), a web trainee reporter at Deccan Chronicle, a prominent national news organization, emphasizes the critical role of journalists in conflict zones, where misinformation and rumors often proliferate.
“Journalism’s primary responsibility in such areas is to prevent the spread of false information, which could escalate violence and deepen tensions.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by reporters in conflict zones, Mehraj underscores that holding those in power accountable is one of the most significant hurdles. “Journalists face immense pressure and threats from various sides, and staying ethical while standing firm is no easy task,” she says.
To navigate the complexities of conflict reporting, Mehraj advocates for comprehensive training from news organizations for reporters heading to war zones. “In addition to training, strong financial support must be provided to journalists working in high-risk areas,” she adds.
Concluding her thoughts, Mehraj passionately calls for mental health support and counseling for media persons returning from conflict zones, recognizing the emotional and psychological toll of such intense and often traumatic work.
According to Khadijah Kamili (26), while it is inspiring for her to see many bold voices reporting from ground zero, at the same time it is disheartening to witness them die from military measures.
“In Gaza, media organizations were the only connection people had with the outside world. However, these journalists were being specifically targeted to silence the voices of the oppressed, this is worse” said Kamili. She added that in Ukraine as well, while the media played an important role in highlighting the Russian attacks and conditions of the displaced, many journalists lost their lives. Kamili has worked as a news desk editor for various publications and is currently a social media trainee for a reputed national radio station.
Emphasizing the importance of the media, she stated that journalists should not only be vigilant during a conflict but also active in the pre-and post-conflict stages. “Responsible journalism plays a crucial role in either escalating or de-escalating a conflict,” Kamili stressed. “If it fulfils its responsibility toward society as a watchdog and as a bridge builder, many conflicts can be resolved.
Echoing similar sentiments, Maleeha, 24, working as an editor with a leading publication in Kashmir maintained that journalism works as a mirror in society.
” If these professionals are silenced, who will tell what is really happening in the world.”
Maleeha believes that authorities in conflict zones do not take enough measures to safeguard media professionals. “If they did, maybe the situation would have been better,” she complains. She adds that the first and foremost step authorities worldwide should take is to stop threatening journalists and let them do their job with honesty. “Everything else is secondary.”
One of the most alarming trends in 2024 has been the decline of press freedom around the world. The rise of authoritarianism, state-sanctioned violence, and the rise of digital surveillance have all contributed to a grim environment for journalists. As censorship becomes more common, both offline and online, the space for independent journalism is shrinking.For young journalists, especially those reporting in regions with limited press freedom, the challenges of navigating these obstacles are more pronounced.
KV News
