LIVE UPDATES
* UNESCO appeal to states to ensure protection of media workers in accordance with the international law
PARIS — A recent report by the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) says at least 68 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024 especially in war crime zones.
The report added that more than 60 per cent of these killings occurred in countries experiencing conflict.
In a statement on Friday, the UNESCO Director-General Andrey Azoulay said, “Reliable information is vital in conflict situations to help affected populations and to enlighten the world.
“It is unacceptable that journalists pay with their lives for this work.
“I call on all states to step up and ensure the protection of media workers, in accordance with international law,” she added.
The report highlights that 42 journalists were killed in conflict zones this year, including 18 in Palestine, which recorded the highest toll.
Other countries such as Ukraine, Colombia, Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Sudan also saw multiple fatalities, underscoring the heightened risks in regions marked by violence and instability.
According to the report, despite media workers coverage in conflict zone areas, the overall number of journalist killed decrease slightly during this year report.
A notable reduction in deaths occurred in non-conflict areas, where 26 journalists were killed – the lowest figure in 16 years.
This decline was particularly evident in Latin America and the Caribbean, where journalist killings dropped from 43 in 2022 to 12 in 2024.
This suggests some progress in addressing threats against journalists in peacetime, especially in regions previously plagued by violence against media workers.
UNESCO’s data, sourced from leading international press freedom organisations, is rigorously verified to ensure objectivity.
Cases are excluded if deaths are deemed unrelated to the victims’ journalistic work. However, dozens of cases remain under review, and UNESCO continues to monitor developments closely.
The Organisation’s mandate extends beyond tracking fatalities. It works to protect journalists through initiatives such as the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
UNESCO has reported a 42 per cent increase in attacks on journalists reporting on environmental issues between 2019 and 2024, highlighting the evolving nature of risks confronting the media.
As UNESCO continues its efforts to promote press freedom and safeguard journalists, the agency calls on the international community to strengthen protections for media workers – ensuring that the quest for truth does not come at the ultimate cost.
