GENEVA, 16 Jul: 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 the number of victims (-54%). The Middle East remained the most dangerous region, ahead of Latin America, said the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC).
“This decline in the number of victims is finally some good news, after three record-breaking years,” PEC President Blaise Lempen said. The PEC is a global media safety and rights body.
“But 39 murders is still too many. The Israeli military was once again responsible for a high number of journalist deaths, especially in Lebanon,” said Lempen.
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 in Syria, one in Iran, and one in 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 (seven in 2026, 60 in 2025, 80 in 2024, 81 in 2023). The PEC maintains its tally, as the fact that 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 murdered in June but found dead in July). Next are Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela (excluding earthquake victims), with two killed in each country, and Guatemala, with one killed. In Asia (six killed), the Philippines was the deadliest country, with three killed, followed by Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, with one victim in each country.
Finally, in Africa, two journalists were killed – one in Somalia and one in Uganda. It is worth noting that no journalists were killed in Europe, which is remarkable given the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia (excluding those who died in the ranks of the Army). This proves that it is possible to take the necessary precautions to prevent media workers from being killed 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, and in Mexico, the ambiguous relationships between criminal networks and state institutions are hindering investigations. In the absence of prosecutions at the national level, international mechanisms must step in to identify and prosecute those responsible, the PEC said.
The South and Southeast Asian region has improved the journo-murder index in this period, where no less than 21 journo-casualties were recorded last year (sixin India, five in Bangladesh, five in Pakistan, four in the Philippines, two in Afghanistan, and one in Nepal). PEC representative Nava Thakuria revealed that this year till 30 June, the Philippines 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 (ABN AndhraJyothy), while Pakistan reported the killing of Lala Israfil Khan (HUM news channel) and Bangladesh lost Rana Pratap Bairagi (Dainik BD Khabar) to assailants since 1 January, 2026.