NEW DELHI: A disturbing surge in the fatalities of media professionals has been reported for the year 2024, with at least 179 journalists losing their lives across 25 countries, according to the latest report from the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC). This marks the highest toll on record, a tragic 28% increase from the previous year, which saw 140 casualties.
The PEC’s annual update revealed that nearly three-quarters of the victims were murdered in conflict zones. December alone accounted for 20 more journalist deaths, underscoring the heightened dangers faced by reporters in volatile regions. This grim data builds on a steady increase in media-related fatalities in recent years, with 116 deaths in 2022 and 92 in 2020, highlighting the growing risks to journalists globally.
The Middle East, particularly the Gaza Strip, has been the deadliest region, with 91 journalists killed, including 80 in Gaza, 6 in Lebanon, 4 in Syria, and 1 in the West Bank. The ongoing conflict in Gaza since October 2023 has resulted in an unprecedented toll, claiming the lives of at least 161 media workers in a span of just a few months.
The war in Ukraine also contributed significantly to the death toll, with 19 Ukrainian journalists and one foreign journalist, Ryan Evans of Reuters, killed in 2024. In addition, the death of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Rochtchina in Russian custody brought the total number of Ukrainian media casualties to 21.
Pakistan, with 12 journalists killed in the first month of 2024, followed by Russia (7), Bangladesh (7), and Mexico (7), has seen the deadliest year for media workers outside the Middle East and Ukraine. Other countries with significant deaths include Sudan, Colombia, India, Iraq, Myanmar, and several African nations.
The PEC's statistics highlight an alarming rise in fatalities in Asia, particularly in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. The increasing risks to journalists in these regions are reflected in the murder of 31 journalists across Asia, a sharp rise from the previous year’s 12.
In addition to these deaths, the PEC has condemned the ongoing impunity surrounding journalist killings. "We condemn all these crimes, committed in violation of international law and national legislation," said PEC President Blaise Lempen. "Independent investigations are essential to clarify the circumstances and prosecute those responsible."
Despite the challenges, the PEC is determined to continue its advocacy for journalist protection, calling for stronger international instruments to safeguard the profession, especially in conflict zones. The organization also emphasized its commitment to tracking all journalist fatalities, regardless of whether the deaths are directly related to their journalistic activities, due to the difficulty of conducting independent investigations in many cases.
The PEC’s representative for South and Southeast Asia, Nava Thakuria, highlighted the individual cases of journalist murders in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, underscoring the severe risks faced by media professionals in these countries.
The report serves as a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face globally and the urgent need for stronger protections to ensure their safety and hold perpetrators accountable.
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