2023 has been a particularly dramatic year for journalists working in conflict zones, with the death toll alarmingly higher than the average for the past three years. According to UNESCO, 65 journalists were killed in the line of duty. Of these, at least 38 people died in conflict countries, compared with 28 killed in 2022 and 20 in 2021.
The war in the Middle East accounts for the vast majority of these deaths. Since October 7, there have been 19 killings in Palestine, three in Lebanon and two in Israel, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Afghanistan, Cameroon, Syria and Ukraine also each reported at least two deaths. The last quarter of the year was considered the deadliest for journalists in conflict zones since 2007, with a total of 27 deaths recorded.
Figures that contradict the Press Emblem Campaign’s (PEC) annual report, which found that 116 journalists were killed in 2023, a 20% increase from 2022. According to the non-governmental organization, the Gaza Strip has been the region with the highest number of killings of media workers worldwide, with 81 deaths recorded since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) estimates that 74 journalists have died in the war in the Middle East, for a total of 95 deaths worldwide, while the Reporters Without Borders report lowers this number to 45 because only those are counted losses that have been proven to be a direct consequence of professional activities.
Author: Sonia Diaz
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Tifany Hawkins, a professional journalist with years of experience in news reporting. I currently work for a prominent news website and write articles for 24NewsReporters as an author. My primary focus is on economy-related stories, though I am also experienced in several other areas of journalism.