The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) reported a disturbing 38% rise in journalist killings worldwide over 2022-2023, with 162 deaths recorded. Nearly all cases remain unresolved, with 85% unsolved since 2006.
Latin America and the Caribbean saw the highest fatalities, while North America and Western Europe reported the fewest. Director-General Audrey Azoulay called the increase “alarming” and urged governments to prevent impunity for these crimes.
“In 2022 and 2023, a journalist was killed every four days simply for doing their vital job to pursue truth,” Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.
For the first time since 2017, conflict zones accounted for the majority of journalist deaths, reversing a previous downward trend.
The report also found that female journalists comprised 9% of the victims.
UNESCO is set to host a conference in Addis Ababa on November 6, focused on the dangers journalists face while reporting from crisis areas.
