A record number of journalists were killed in 2024, the committee protecting journalists said in a report released Wednesday. At least 124 journalists and media workers were killed all over the world, with about two-thirds of whom were Palestinians killed by Israel War with Hamas In Gaza, the CPJ said:
Previous records were 113 journalists killed during the Iraq War in 2007.
Other countries such as Sudan, Pakistan, Mexico and Syria also had multiple cases in which journalists were killed last year, the report found.
CPJ considers journalists or media workers who have covered news in any medium or commented on public duties. To be included on that list, the person’s death must have been work-related. The death can be intentional or accidental, such as when a journalist is killed in a conflict zone. The death of a journalist would not be included if there was evidence that “incites violence with imminent effects or directly participates as a combatant in armed conflict.”
The CPJ states that only cases confirmed in the report are included. That is, evidence was found that journalists were killed in connection with their work. It says it considers it to be affirming all war zone cases.
An increase in global conflict leads to record deaths
Of the 124 journalists killed in 2024, CPJ reports that 82 were killed in the war in Gaza, while three were killed Killed in Lebanonwhere Israel was fighting Hezbollah. In at least 10 cases, the CPJ said it determined that the study was “deliberately targeted.” The group says it continues to investigate whether at least 20 other cases may be intentional.
“The 31 journalists killed in Gaza are Palestinian freelancers, and the CPJ intervened to fill the information gap after many media outlets stopped operating on the territory.”
In a statement sent to CBS News, the Israeli Defense Force said “we are taking all operationally viable measures to mitigate harm to civilians, including journalists,” and “intentionally dictate journalists.” “I’ve never targeted it, and never targeted it.”
The IDF has sent a list of “about half of the so-called “journalists” named in the CPJ report, which was found to have actively participated in Israel and led terrorist efforts. did. The massacre on October 7th, “Orchestrated by Hamas.”
Israeli military frequently argues that Gaza’s “terrorist operatives” could become “legal military targets,” including those who worked in Al Jazeera, as they double as journalists. Qatar Network strongly denies the allegations.
The increase in journalist deaths came amid the rise in the number of conflicts worldwide, the CPJ said. The murders of other journalists in 2024 were founded in Sudan, Pakistan and Mexico.
Sudan and Pakistan each saw the murders of six journalists, while Mexico had five. Four journalists were killed in Syria. According to the CPJ, the three died in Myanmar where underground reporters are “more and more treated as enemy combatants.” Three more journalists died Recorded in Iraqmarks the first journalist’s death since 2020. Two journalists Killed in Haiti“The gangs openly assert responsibility for the murder of journalists,” the CPJ said.
The CPJ said it discovered that in countries where journalists were intentionally killed, they often attempt to “bury evidence of murder, change responsibility, and avoid accountability.” Such actions put surviving journalists even more at risk, the group said, and removed “the possibility of justice” for those who died.
Around the world, journalists have been threatened, censored, arrested or assaulted. Such incidents have been reported in Cameroon, Somalia and Afghanistan, but no journalists have been killed in those countries. Also, although there were no journalists’ deaths in the war between Ukraine and Russia, several targeted attacks injured reporters, the CPJ said. a Ukrainian journalist detained He died in custody in Russia last August in August 2023.
“If people who kill journalists are not bound to explain, the conditions can be even more fatal for the media. And fewer journalists mean there is less information about citizens seeking the truth. It means,” CPJ said.
The crisis in the Middle East
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