Geneva, July 16: A marked improvement was observed during the first six months of 2026, with 39 journalists killed compared to 85 during the same period in 2025 — a reduction of more than half (-54%). The Middle East remained the most dangerous region, followed by Latin America, according to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC).
“This decline in the number of victims is finally some good news after three record-breaking years,” said Blaise Lempen, President of PEC, a global media safety and rights body. He added, “But 39 murders are still too many. The Israeli military was once again responsible for a high number of journalist deaths, especially in Lebanon.”
In the Middle East (19 killed), nine media workers were killed in Lebanon during Israeli military operations, and seven in Gaza. In addition, there was one casualty each in Syria, Iran, and Yemen. Since 7 October 2023, according to the PEC’s tally, a total of 228 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the fighting in Gaza (7 in 2026, 60 in 2025, 80 in 2024, and 81 in 2023). The PEC maintains its tally, stating that the fact some Palestinian journalists were affiliated with Hamas does not justify their killing by the Israeli military unless they took part in the fighting.
In Latin America (12 killed), Mexico remains the most dangerous country, with five journalists murdered (including two who were killed in June but whose bodies were found in July). It was followed by Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela, with two journalists killed in each country, and Guatemala, with one.
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In Asia (six killed), the Philippines was the deadliest country, with three journalists killed, followed by Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, with one victim each.
In Africa, two journalists were killed — one in Somalia and one in Uganda. Notably, no journalists were killed in Europe, despite the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia (excluding those who died while serving in the armed forces). This demonstrates that it is possible to take the necessary precautions to protect media workers in war zones.
Unfortunately, there has been no progress in the fight against impunity. There is near-total impunity for Israeli military personnel responsible, in some cases, for deliberate killings, while in Mexico, the ambiguous relationships between criminal networks and state institutions continue to hinder investigations. In the absence of prosecutions at the national level, international mechanisms must step in to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The South and Southeast Asian region also recorded an improvement in the journalist murder index during this period. Last year, no fewer than 21 journalists were killed in the region — six in India, five each in Bangladesh and Pakistan, four in the Philippines, two in Afghanistan, and one in Nepal.
PEC representative Nava Thakuria said that, as of 30 June this year, the Philippines had lost Julio Calo (DNN News FM), RJ Nichole Ledesma (Paghimutad-Negros), and Nestor Micator (Empire Radio Station) to assailants. India recorded the murder of Jaganmohan Reddy of ABN Andhra Jyothy, while Pakistan reported the killing of Lala Israfil Khan of HUM News. Bangladesh lost Rana Pratap Bairagi of Dainik BD Khabar to assailants during the period from 1 January to 30 June 2026.
(Nava Thakuria is a senior Indian journalist who contributes to various media outlets including print and digital platforms of India and across the world.)
