World Press Freedom Day : Defending truth

1,668 journalists killed in the past 20 years (2003-2022), an average of 80 per year.

Over the past two decades (2003-2022), a total of 1,668 journalists have tragically lost their lives while pursuing their work, averaging over 80 fatalities annually. This grim toll encompasses murders, contract killings, ambushes, deaths in war zones, and fatal injuries, revealing the grave risks journalists face worldwide. Regrettably, 2022 witnessed the highest number of journalist fatalities in the last four years, with 58 lives lost, marking a 13.7% increase from the previous year's toll of 51.

During this period, 80% of media fatalities occurred in just 15 countries, with Iraq and Syria bearing the brunt, accounting for over a third of the global total, followed by Afghanistan, Yemen, and Palestine. Africa, notably Somalia, has also experienced significant losses.

In 2022, America emerged as the most perilous continent for journalists, with 47.4% of fatalities occurring there, prompting the need for targeted protection policies. Countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Honduras rank among the most dangerous globally. Asia, too, grapples with high journalist mortality rates, including the Philippines, Pakistan, and India.

Despite the disproportionate impact on male journalists, women in the profession have not been spared, with 81 fatalities recorded in the past two decades. Alarmingly, spikes in female journalist deaths, often linked to investigations into women's rights, highlight ongoing risks. For instance, 2017 saw a record 13.5% of total media fatalities comprised of women, underscoring the urgent need for greater protections across the industry.