Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed that Israel once again recorded the highest number of journalist killings this year, marking another alarming chapter for global press freedom.
The organisation’s annual report shows that conflict-zone reporters, especially those covering Gaza, continue to face extreme risks as violence intensifies and media access remains tightly restricted.
According to RSF, nearly half of all journalists killed worldwide this year lost their lives due to Israeli attacks.
Most of the victims were Palestinian reporters who were working on the ground, documenting airstrikes, humanitarian suffering and developments inside the besieged territory.
The report states that Gaza remains the deadliest place on earth for media professionals for the third consecutive year.
Despite repeated appeals from international bodies, journalists inside Gaza continue to operate without proper protection, safety guarantees or meaningful escape routes during heavy bombardment.
RSF also highlighted the troubling pattern of what it describes as deliberate or disproportionate strikes on areas known to house reporters.
The organisation says several journalists died in repeated “double-tap” attacks, where a second strike hits the same location minutes after the first, often targeting rescuers and photographers rushing to assist.
Beyond Gaza, RSF noted that other conflict zones such as Sudan, Ukraine and parts of Latin America also recorded journalist deaths.
However, the numbers in those regions remain significantly lower, making Israel the single highest contributor to global journalist casualties once again.
Press-freedom advocates warn that the repeated targeting of reporters raises serious concerns about transparency during wartime.
They argue that without independent coverage, the world relies solely on filtered or official narratives, limiting public understanding of humanitarian conditions and evolving crises.
Global media groups have called for independent investigations into several high-profile journalist deaths this year.
RSF stressed that protecting journalists is essential for safeguarding truth, accountability and the basic right to information in conflict-affected regions.
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