World · 2026-11-02 · Afternoon briefing

Impunity for journalist killings rises for first time in a decade

The global impunity rate for the murder of journalists has risen for the first time in over a decade, reaching 86% in 2024-2025, according to a new UNESCO report. A total of 189 journalists and media workers were killed during the two-year period, a 20% increase from the previous biennium and the highest figure recorded since 2014-2015.

More than two-thirds of the deaths, 127, occurred in conflict zones, where the rate of impunity approaches 100%. The report identifies drone strikes as a significant new threat, responsible for killing 50 journalists—40% of all conflict-zone fatalities. The highest number of verified killings were in Arab States (97), followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (37).

However, the picture is different outside of war zones. The number of killings in non-conflict countries, 85, was the lowest in 18 years, and the impunity rate in these areas has continued to decline. Despite this progress, the report noted that 15 journalists were killed while wearing press vests or in vehicles clearly marked 'Press'.

Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.

Read the sources

• Six in seven journalist murders go unpunished, UNESCO reports
• Online Press Briefing: UNESCO report reveals most journalists’ killings are not brought to justice, and impunity is intensifying
• Mexico sees longest-running wave of journalists murdered in peacetime, 169 killed in 20 years
• Championing justice for journalists: The Impunity Action List
• CPJ renews accountability calls in the killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil after Amnesty International probe

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