CPJ: Israel Responsible for Two-Thirds of Record Journalist Deaths in 2025
Committee to Protect Journalists blames Israel for most journalist deaths worldwide.
In 2025, a record 129 journalists and media workers were killed globally, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Israel is responsible for two-thirds of these deaths. Over 60% of the 86 press members killed by Israeli fire were Palestinian reporters in Gaza. The Israeli military denies deliberately targeting journalists, claiming terrorists operate under civilian guises. The CPJ also noted increased journalist deaths in Ukraine and Sudan. The organization highlighted the rise in drone usage, including killings by Israel in Gaza and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. The CPJ emphasized a persistent culture of impunity and a lack of transparent investigations into journalist killings.
The CPJ's report underscores the dangers faced by journalists worldwide, particularly in conflict zones. The high number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza raises serious concerns about the protection of press freedom during armed conflicts. The use of drones as weapons against journalists, as seen in both Gaza and Sudan, represents a new and alarming trend. The lack of accountability for these killings further exacerbates the situation, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship.
For India, this report highlights the importance of upholding press freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists, both domestically and internationally. The issue is relevant to UPSC exams, particularly in the context of International Relations (GS Paper 2) and Ethics (GS Paper 4), where issues of human rights, freedom of expression, and accountability are frequently examined.
Key Facts
In 2025, 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide.
Israel is blamed for two-thirds of these deaths.
Over 60% of the 86 press members killed by Israeli fire were Palestinian reporters in Gaza.
The CPJ noted increased journalist deaths in Ukraine and Sudan.
There is a rise in the use of drones, with 39 cases documented.
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper 2 (International Relations): Impact of conflict on human rights and press freedom.
GS Paper 4 (Ethics): Ethical considerations for journalists in conflict zones and the importance of accountability.
Potential question types: Analyze the role of international law in protecting journalists during armed conflicts. Critically examine the challenges to press freedom in the 21st century.
In Simple Words
Imagine reporters are like eyes and ears on the ground, especially in war zones. This news says that in 2025, a record number of these reporters were killed, and Israel is blamed for most of these deaths. This makes it harder for people to know what's really happening in those areas.
India Angle
In India, a free press is important for holding the government accountable and reporting on issues that affect everyday people. If journalists are afraid to report the truth, it can lead to corruption and injustice.
For Instance
Think of a local reporter uncovering a scam in your city. If that reporter is threatened or harmed, the truth might never come out, and the wrongdoers could get away with it.
When journalists are silenced, we all lose because we don't get the full picture of what's happening in the world. This affects our ability to make informed decisions and hold power accountable.
A threat to journalists is a threat to the truth.
In 2025, 129 journalists and media workers were killed globally, marking a record high according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Israel is blamed for two-thirds of these deaths. Over 60% of the 86 press members killed by Israeli fire were Palestinian reporters in Gaza.
The Israeli military denies deliberately targeting journalists, claiming terrorists operate under civilian guises. The CPJ also noted increased journalist deaths in Ukraine and Sudan and highlighted the rise in drone usage, including killings by Israel in Gaza and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. The organization emphasized a persistent culture of impunity and a lack of transparent investigations into journalist killings.
Expert Analysis
The killing of journalists in conflict zones raises critical questions about international law and the responsibilities of states. To fully understand this news, several key concepts must be considered.
The Geneva Conventions, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, provide protection to civilians in times of war. Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions explicitly protects journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict, stating they shall be considered civilians. The killing of journalists, particularly when intentional, can constitute a war crime under international law. The CPJ report highlights that over 60% of the 86 press members killed by Israeli fire were Palestinian reporters in Gaza, raising concerns about potential violations of the Geneva Conventions.
Another crucial concept is press freedom, a cornerstone of democratic societies. Press freedom, as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), guarantees the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. When journalists are targeted and killed, it creates a chilling effect, suppressing the free flow of information and hindering the public's ability to understand events accurately. The CPJ's report emphasizes a persistent culture of impunity, which directly undermines press freedom by signaling that those who attack journalists will not be held accountable.
The concept of impunity is central to understanding why journalist killings persist. Impunity refers to the failure to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice, whether through lack of investigation, prosecution, or punishment. The CPJ's emphasis on a persistent culture of impunity highlights that the lack of transparent investigations into journalist killings emboldens those who seek to silence the press. This creates a dangerous cycle where attacks on journalists become more frequent and severe, further eroding press freedom and accountability.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding these concepts is crucial for both prelims and mains. In prelims, questions may focus on the provisions of the Geneva Conventions, the UDHR, or the definition of impunity. In mains, questions may ask you to analyze the challenges to press freedom in conflict zones, the role of international law in protecting journalists, or the impact of impunity on democratic societies. This news directly relates to GS Paper 2 (International Relations) and GS Paper 4 (Ethics).
Visual Insights
Key Statistics on Journalist Deaths in 2025
Dashboard highlighting the record number of journalist deaths in 2025 and the proportion attributed to Israel.
- Total Journalists Killed Globally
- 129
- Journalist Deaths Attributed to Israel
- Two-Thirds
- Palestinian Reporters Killed in Gaza by Israeli Fire
- 60% of 86
Record high number of journalist deaths, indicating increased risks for media personnel.
Highlights the significant impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict on journalist safety.
Indicates a disproportionate impact on Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
More Information
Background
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny of the use of surveillance technologies against journalists. Reports have documented instances of governments using spyware to monitor journalists' communications and track their movements. This raises serious concerns about the privacy and security of journalists, as well as their ability to report freely and independently.
The rise of online harassment and disinformation campaigns targeting journalists has also become a major challenge. Journalists, particularly women and minority journalists, are often subjected to online abuse, threats, and smear campaigns aimed at silencing them and discrediting their work. These attacks can have a significant impact on journalists' mental health and well-being, as well as their ability to do their jobs effectively.
Looking ahead, there is a growing recognition of the need for stronger international mechanisms to protect journalists and hold perpetrators of attacks accountable. Some organizations are advocating for the establishment of a special envoy for journalist safety at the United Nations, as well as the strengthening of national laws and policies to protect journalists and promote media freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. The CPJ report blames Israel for a majority of journalist deaths. How might this impact Israel's standing with international bodies like the UN, especially considering existing scrutiny?
The CPJ report could further strain Israel's relations with international bodies. Increased scrutiny and condemnation might lead to: * More intense investigations into alleged war crimes. * Stronger resolutions criticizing Israel's actions. * Potential sanctions or other punitive measures.
2. How does the rise in drone usage, as highlighted by the CPJ, complicate the legal and ethical considerations surrounding the protection of journalists in conflict zones?
The rise in drone usage complicates the legal and ethical considerations because: * Targeting ambiguity: Drones make it harder to distinguish between combatants and civilians, increasing the risk of accidental targeting of journalists. * Lack of accountability: It is difficult to assign responsibility for drone strikes, hindering investigations into journalist killings. * Erosion of trust: Journalists may be viewed with suspicion by all parties in a conflict, further endangering their safety.
3. If a Mains question asks, 'Critically examine the CPJ report on journalist deaths in conflict zones,' what key arguments should I include to present a balanced answer?
A balanced answer should include: * CPJ Findings: Summarize the report's key findings, including the number of journalist deaths and the countries most responsible. * Contextual Factors: Acknowledge the challenges of reporting in conflict zones and the difficulties in verifying information. * Multiple Perspectives: Present the perspectives of different actors, including governments, armed groups, and journalists themselves. * Recommendations: Suggest potential solutions to improve the safety of journalists, such as better training, protective equipment, and legal reforms.
4. How does the CPJ's emphasis on a 'persistent culture of impunity' relate to the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and could the ICC potentially investigate journalist killings?
The 'persistent culture of impunity' highlights the failure to hold perpetrators of violence against journalists accountable. The ICC could potentially investigate journalist killings if: * The killings constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. * The national authorities are unwilling or unable to genuinely investigate and prosecute the cases. * The situation falls within the ICC's jurisdiction.
5. For Prelims, what's a likely MCQ trap related to the number of journalist deaths? For example, could they trick us with percentages?
Yes, a likely trap is using percentages to mislead you. For example: * Correct fact: Two-thirds of the 129 journalist deaths were blamed on Israel. * MCQ Distractor: 'More than 75% of journalist deaths in 2025 were attributed to Israeli actions.' examTip: Always double-check the specific numbers and proportions mentioned in the question against the original data.
6. Given the report's findings, what measures could international organizations and individual nations take to enhance the safety and protection of journalists operating in conflict zones?
To enhance the safety, international organizations and nations could: * Provide better training and equipment: Equip journalists with necessary safety gear and training on risk assessment and digital security. * Advocate for legal reforms: Push for stronger legal protections for journalists and ensure accountability for crimes against them. * Support independent investigations: Fund and support independent investigations into journalist killings and attacks. * Impose sanctions: Consider imposing sanctions on countries or individuals responsible for targeting journalists.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Geneva Conventions: 1. The Fourth Geneva Convention specifically protects civilians in times of war. 2. Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions explicitly protects journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict. 3. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over war crimes related to the targeting of journalists. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 specifically protects civilians in times of war. Statement 2 is CORRECT: Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions explicitly protects journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over war crimes, including the intentional targeting of civilians, which could potentially include journalists.
2. In the context of press freedom, which of the following statements is NOT correct? A) Press freedom is guaranteed under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). B) The CPJ report highlighted that Israel is responsible for two-thirds of journalist deaths globally in 2025. C) Impunity refers to the failure to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice. D) The United Nations Security Council has never addressed the issue of journalist safety.
- A.A
- B.B
- C.C
- D.D
Show Answer
Answer: D
Option D is NOT correct: The United Nations Security Council has addressed the issue of journalist safety through several resolutions, including Resolution 1738 adopted in 2006. This resolution condemns attacks against journalists in conflict situations and calls on states to ensure accountability for such crimes. Options A, B, and C are correct statements based on the provided information.
3. Assertion (A): The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported a record number of journalist deaths in 2025, with Israel being responsible for a significant portion. Reason (R): The Israeli military claims that terrorists operate under civilian guises, making it difficult to distinguish between combatants and journalists. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true, but R is false
- D.A is false, but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: B
Both A and R are true. The CPJ did report a record number of journalist deaths in 2025, and Israel was responsible for a significant portion. The Israeli military does claim that terrorists operate under civilian guises. However, R is NOT the correct explanation of A. While the Israeli military's claim may be a contributing factor, it does not fully explain the high number of journalist deaths attributed to Israel.
About the Author
Richa SinghInternational Relations Enthusiast & UPSC Writer
Richa Singh writes about International Relations at GKSolver, breaking down complex developments into clear, exam-relevant analysis.
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