Geneva, July 17 (V7N) — The number of journalists killed worldwide fell sharply during the first half of 2026, marking the first significant improvement in media safety after three consecutive years of record-high fatalities, according to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global media safety and rights organisation.
PEC reported that 39 journalists were killed between January and June 2026, compared with 85 during the same period in 2025, representing a 54 percent decline.
"This decline in the number of victims is finally some good news after three record-breaking years," said Blaise Lempen, President of the Press Emblem Campaign. "However, 39 murders are still far too many. The Israeli military was once again responsible for a high number of journalist deaths, particularly in Lebanon."
Middle East Remains Deadliest Region
The Middle East remained the world's most dangerous region for journalists, accounting for 19 of the 39 killings recorded during the first six months of the year.
According to PEC, nine journalists were killed in Lebanon during Israeli military operations, while seven were killed in Gaza. One journalist each was also killed in Syria, Iran and Yemen.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, PEC says 228 Palestinian journalists have been killed. The organisation's records show 81 deaths in 2023, 80 in 2024, 60 in 2025, and seven so far in 2026.
PEC said it continues to include all Palestinian journalists in its casualty figures, arguing that media workers' political affiliations do not justify their killing unless they were directly participating in hostilities.
Latin America Second Most Dangerous
Latin America ranked as the second-deadliest region, with 12 journalists killed.
Mexico remained the world's most dangerous country for journalists, recording five murders, including two journalists who were killed in June but whose bodies were recovered in July.
Colombia, Haiti and Venezuela each recorded two journalist killings, while Guatemala reported one.
Asia Records Improvement
Asia registered six journalist killings during the reporting period.
The Philippines recorded the highest number in the region with three deaths, followed by Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, with one journalist killed in each country.
PEC representative Nava Thakuria said South and Southeast Asia had shown a notable improvement compared with the previous year, when 21 journalists were killed during the same period. Those fatalities included six in India, five each in Bangladesh and Pakistan, four in the Philippines, two in Afghanistan and one in Nepal.
According to PEC, the journalists killed in the Philippines this year were Julio Calo of DNN News FM, RJ Nichole Ledesma of Paghimutad-Negros, and Nestor Micator of Empire Radio Station. India recorded the killing of Jaganmohan Reddy of ABN AndhraJyothy, Pakistan lost Lala Israfil Khan of HUM News, while Bangladesh recorded the killing of Rana Pratap Bairagi of Dainik BD Khabar.
Africa and Europe
In Africa, two journalists were killed—one each in Somalia and Uganda.
PEC noted that no journalists were killed in Europe during the first half of 2026, despite the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, excluding journalists serving as members of the armed forces. The organisation said this demonstrates that effective safety measures can significantly reduce risks for journalists working in conflict zones.
Impunity Remains a Major Concern
Despite the decline in journalist killings, PEC warned that impunity remains widespread.
The organisation said there has been little progress in holding perpetrators accountable, citing what it described as near-total impunity for Israeli military personnel involved in some journalist deaths, as well as persistent obstacles to justice in Mexico due to alleged links between criminal groups and state institutions.
PEC called for stronger international intervention, saying that where national authorities fail to investigate and prosecute those responsible, international mechanisms should step in to ensure accountability.
END/NT/SMA/
