UNESCO: 86% of Journalist Killings Worldwide Remain Unpunished

For the first time since 2012, the global impunity rate for the killing of journalists has increased. In 2024–2025, it reached 86%, up from 85% in the previous two-year period. This means that six out of every seven journalist killings go unpunished, according to a new UNESCO report.

The report was released on November 2, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

According to UNESCO, 189 journalists were killed worldwide in 2024–2025, a 20% increase compared with the previous two years. Most of these deaths occurred in the context of armed conflicts, with 127 journalists killed in conflict zones.

The use of drones against journalists has become a particular cause for concern. Over the two-year period, 50 media professionals were killed in drone strikes, accounting for approximately 40% of all journalists killed in areas affected by armed conflict.

UNESCO also documented seven attacks in which multiple journalists were killed in a single incident. Some of these strikes targeted newsrooms and temporary media centres. Another 15 journalists were killed despite wearing protective vests marked “PRESS” or travelling in clearly identified press vehicles.

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany called for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2222, adopted in 2015, which provides for the protection of journalists and media workers as civilians during armed conflicts.

The report also highlights the particular risks faced by women journalists. Of the 14 women journalists killed in 2024–2025, 93% had been covering armed conflicts.

However, threats to journalists extend far beyond conflict zones. According to a 2025 study conducted by UN Women and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), 75% of women journalists experienced violence or harassment, both online and offline.

The proportion of women journalists reporting real-world violence or harassment linked to online attacks more than doubled, rising from 20% in 2020 to over 40% in 2025.

Despite the deterioration in global figures, UNESCO also identifies some positive developments. In countries not affected by armed conflict, the impunity rate for journalist killings declined from 94% in 2012 to 77% in 2026.

According to the organization, these findings demonstrate that sustained criminal investigations, accountability for perpetrators, and effective mechanisms to protect journalists can help improve the situation.

UNESCO publishes its report on the safety of journalists and impunity for crimes against them every two years. The report examines global trends in journalists’ safety and assesses the measures taken by governments to investigate crimes committed against media professionals.