(C) Sudut Berita

The number of journalists killed worldwide in the line of duty reached an all-time high last year, marking the deadliest period since records began. A chilling report reveals that the vast majority of these fatalities were caused by Israeli military actions, sparking international outcry over the safety of media workers in conflict zones.

On February 25 (local time), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a prominent international press freedom organization, released its annual report stating that 129 journalists and media workers were killed in 2025. This figure represents the highest toll since the organization began tracking fatalities in 1992, surpassing even the deadliest years of the Iraq War and the Syrian Civil War.

Israel’s Military Campaign Takes Heavy Toll

The report highlights a staggering concentration of violence. Out of the 129 deaths, 86—approximately two-thirds of the global total—were linked to Israeli military operations. While 52 of these victims were Palestinian journalists within the Gaza Strip, the report also documented fatal strikes in Iran and Yemen attributed to Israeli forces.

The cumulative data since the outbreak of the Gaza War paints an even grimmer picture. As of early last month, a total of 252 journalists have been killed in the Gaza Strip. The CPJ’s investigation found that 249 of these individuals were killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), including 209 local Palestinian reporters who were on the front lines of documenting the humanitarian crisis.

The Rise of "Precision" Killing via Drones

A disturbing trend identified in the report is the increasing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to target media personnel. Last year, 39 journalists were killed in drone strikes, with 28 of those cases occurring in Gaza at the hands of the IDF. Other instances were recorded in Sudan, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) used drones in five killings, and in Ukraine, where four journalists fell victim to Russian drone attacks.

Human rights advocates argue that the use of high-tech surveillance and precision-guided munitions undermines the "accidental collateral damage" defense often cited by militaries. They claim that in many instances, journalists were wearing clearly marked "PRESS" vests and helmets when they were struck.

International Calls for Accountability

The IDF responded to the findings in a statement to the Washington Post, denying allegations of intentional targeting. "The IDF does not deliberately harm journalists or their families," the statement read, adding that the military operates "solely against military targets in accordance with international law."

However, Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the CPJ, emphasized that the lack of accountability is fueling a global crisis. "Attacks on the press are a leading indicator of attacks on all other freedoms," Ginsberg said. "When journalists are killed with impunity, the public loses its eyes and ears. We need a concerted international effort to ensure that those who kill journalists are held legally responsible."

The CPJ’s statistics are rigorously verified, including only those cases where it is confirmed that the individual was killed in connection to their journalistic work. The definition of "journalist" in this report extends to essential support staff, including translators, drivers, and fixers, who are equally vulnerable in high-risk environments.

Global Hotspots Beyond Gaza

While Gaza remains the deadliest location, other regions also saw significant bloodshed. Sudan ranked as the second deadliest country with 9 journalists killed amidst its ongoing civil war. Mexico followed with 6 deaths, continuing its trend as one of the most dangerous countries for reporters outside of active war zones. Russia and the Philippines also remained high on the list, with 4 and 3 deaths respectively.

As the international community grapples with these findings, the CPJ and other watchdog groups are calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prioritize investigations into war crimes against journalists to prevent 2026 from breaking another tragic record.

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