2025 Deadliest Year for Journalists Worldwide: Amnesty International

Amnesty International has issued a stark warning on World Press Freedom Day, highlighting 2025 as the deadliest year on record for journalists worldwide. According to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), cited by Amnesty International, 129 journalists have been killed to date this year. This grim statistic underscores the perilous environment in which journalists operate globally.

The report places particular focus on the conflict in Gaza, identifying Israel as responsible for approximately two-thirds of the reported killings. The Gaza Strip has emerged as the most dangerous location for reporting, a situation that severely restricts access to vital information for the global public. Amnesty International emphasized that when journalists are targeted, whether through deadly conflicts or media blackouts, the casualty is not just the reporter but also the public's access to reliable information.

World Press Freedom Day, designated by the United Nations and UNESCO, serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of media freedom and the need to support journalists who face constant threats. It also calls upon governments to uphold their commitments under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

From our perspective at Pajhwok Afghan News, this report is particularly concerning. Afghanistan has a history of journalists facing significant risks, and any increase in global danger underscores the need for continued vigilance and advocacy for press freedom everywhere. While international bodies like Amnesty and CPJ provide critical data, the on-the-ground reality for journalists in conflict zones and repressive environments remains a daily struggle for survival and the pursuit of truth. The international community must redouble its efforts to ensure the safety of journalists and hold accountable those who perpetrate violence against them.

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From deadly conflicts to media blackouts, when journalists are targeted, access to reliable information also becomes a casualty.