Six in seven journalist murders remain unpunished, UNESCO says
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Premium Times
UNESCO estimates that 86% of journalist murders went unpunished in 2024 and 2025, or six cases in seven, compared with 85% in the previous period. One hundred and eighty-nine journalists were killed over the two years, including 127 in conflict zones, according to the organisation’s report.
UNESCO estimates that 86% of journalist murders do not result in a conviction, compared with 85% in the previous two-year period. This increase in impunity, the first since the measure began in 2012, concerns 2024 and 2025, according to a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation published on Monday 2 November.
The report records 189 journalists killed in 2024 and 2025, 20% more than in the previous two years. Of these, 127 were killed in conflict zones. The Arab States recorded the highest number of verified cases, with 97 deaths, ahead of Latin America and the Caribbean (37), Asia-Pacific (34), Central and Eastern Europe (14), Africa (6), and Western Europe and North America (1).
Drone strikes killed 50 journalists in conflict zones during the period studied, accounting for 40% of victims in those territories. UNESCO also recorded seven attacks that killed several journalists, as well as 15 deaths among reporters wearing press jackets or travelling in vehicles clearly identified as belonging to the media.
The State of Palestine recorded the highest number of journalists killed, with 30 deaths in 2024 and 32 in 2025. UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany called for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists during conflicts. The report details UNESCO’s warning about continuing impunity for crimes against journalists, published on 2 November 2026.
