Gaza conflict accounts for majority of 94 journalists killed so far this year
Israeli soldiers gather near the border with the Gaza Strip on Friday. Three Lebanese journalists were killed on October 13 and November 21 in Israeli shootings while filming a report on the border between the two countries. Picture: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo
Some 94 journalists and media workers, including nine women, have been killed in the line of duty so far in 2023, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reports.
This year's total has been heavily impacted by war with the conflict in Gaza being more deadly for journalists than any single conflict since the IFJ began recording the figures in 1990.
It reports that 68 journalists have been killed since the Hamas attack on October 7. Of those, 61 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the Gaza Strip while four Israeli reporters died in the first hours of the attack on October 7—two during the Supernova music festival, and two murdered in the kibbutzes of Nahal Oz and Kfar Aza.
Three Lebanese journalists were killed on October 13 and November 21 in Israeli shootings while filming a report on the border between the two countries.
Publishing these statistics ahead of International Human Rights Day on December 10, the IFJ insists that far greater action is required from the international community to safeguard journalists’ lives and hold to account their attackers.
A spokesperson for the IFJ said: "The international community, and more particularly the International Criminal Court, must face up to its responsibilities and thoroughly investigate, and where appropriate, bring prosecutions to those who have ordered and carried out attacks on journalists."
Elsewhere in the Middle East, the IFJ says three media workers were killed in Syria, and in Europe, Ukraine remains a dangerous country for journalists too.
This year, three journalists and media workers, one Ukrainian, one Russian and one French, have been killed in the Ukrainian war.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the murders of journalists were concentrated in the same countries as in previous years.
Whilst the number of journalists killed remains lower than in 2022, the IFJ is still concerned about the safety of journalists on the continent.
Two were killed in Afghanistan, two in the Philippines, and one in India, China and Bangladesh.
The IFJ has called on governments in the region to investigate these murders, and to put in place measures to ensure the safety of journalists.
Meanwhile, the IFJ has noted a real decrease in the number of journalists killed in North and South America; 29 journalists lost their lives in 2022, while just seven died in 2023.
Three Mexicans, one Paraguayan, one Guatemalan, one Colombian and one American died while investigating armed groups or embezzlement of public funds.
In Africa, the IFJ condemns four particularly shocking murders, two in Cameroon, one in Sudan and one in Lesotho. All of which have failed to be fully investigated to date.
Commenting on the figures released today, IFJ President, Dominique Pradalié said: "In 2023, 94 journalists lost their lives.
"The IFJ insists that international law is applied, particularly in the Gaza war, where journalists have been targeted by the Israeli army. With 72% of global journalist deaths occurring in the Gaza war, the requirement for decisive action is urgent.
"The imperative for a new global standard for the protection of journalists and effective international enforcement has never been greater."
Elsewhere, 393 journalists and media workers were jailed in 2023—a significant increase on the last three years.
China and Hong Kong top the list with 80 journalists currently behind bars, followed by Myanmar with 54, Turkey with 41, and Russia and occupied Crimea with 40.
Belarus saw 35 journalists imprisoned, whilst Egypt saw 23, Vietnam 18, Saudi Arabia 11, India 10, and Syria 9.
According to the IFJ, the list of imprisoned journalists "casts light on a continuum of political repression."
A spokesperson said: "Such judicial bullying is clearly designed to silence the media and suppress demonstrations in favour of freedom."
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