A new annual report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has named Israel as the country responsible for the highest number of journalist deaths in 2025. Nearly half of all reporters killed worldwide this year were Palestinian journalists covering events inside the Gaza Strip, making 2025 the third consecutive year in which Israel topped RSF’s list.

RSF: 29 Palestinian Journalists Killed in Gaza in 2025

According to RSF, 29 Palestinian journalists lost their lives in Gaza in 2025 during Israel’s ongoing military campaign. The organisation stresses that these journalists were not accidental casualties but were killed while carrying out their professional duties in one of the world’s most dangerous reporting environments.

Protests and solidarity events have been held globally to honour the reporters who died, including demonstrations in Europe featuring portraits of Gaza journalists such as Hossam Shbat and Anas al-Sharif.

Global Total of Journalist Deaths Rises

RSF reports that 67 journalists worldwide were killed this year — a slight increase compared with 2024.
RSF Director General Thibaut Bruttin condemned the widespread violence against the press, saying that the deaths stem from deliberate targeting, not battlefield crossfire. He criticised governments and international institutions for failing to protect reporters in war zones, arguing that declining political resolve has contributed to worsening conditions for press freedom.

Other High-Risk Countries for Journalists

While Gaza remained the deadliest environment for media workers, RSF highlighted several other countries where journalists faced extreme danger in 2025:

• Mexico recorded nine journalist deaths, ranking second worldwide.
• Sudan saw four journalists killed amid internal conflict.
• Ukraine, still facing the fallout of war, recorded three journalist deaths this year.

Imprisonment of Journalists: China Still the Largest Jailor

Beyond killings, RSF tracks cases of reporters imprisoned for their work. Its latest findings show:

• China holds the highest number of jailed journalists globally, with 121 behind bars.
• Russia follows with 48 incarcerated reporters.
• Myanmar remains one of the most repressive media environments, with 47 journalists imprisoned.

Altogether, 503 journalists were detained across 47 countries as of December 1, 2025.

RSF also notes that:

• 135 journalists are currently missing in 37 countries.
• 20 journalists are being held hostage.

Deadliest Single Attack in Gaza This Year

The most lethal incident for journalists in 2025 occurred at a hospital in southern Gaza on August 25, when a “double-tap” strike killed five journalists, including Al Jazeera photographer Mohammad Salama and contributors working with leading international news agencies.

Monitoring groups estimate that nearly 300 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict more than two years ago — an average of about 12 per month. Much of this data comes from Shireen.ps, a site commemorating slain journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed in the West Bank in 2022.

Ongoing Restrictions on Press Access to Gaza

Israel continues to bar independent foreign journalists from entering Gaza except under tightly monitored press tours supervised by its military. Multiple global media organisations have urged Israel to allow unhindered access so reporters can independently document conditions on the ground, but the restrictions remain in place.