Brussels: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), a leading organization representing journalists around the world, has released its annual report on the deaths of media workers in 2023. The report reveals that 94 journalists have been killed worldwide while doing their work and that the Israel-Hamas war has been the deadliest conflict for journalists in the last 30 years.
According to the IFJ, 68 journalists covering the Israel-Hamas war have lost their lives since Hamas launched rockets at Israel on October 7, 2023. This accounts for 72 percent of all media workers killed worldwide this year. The IFJ said that most of these journalists were Palestinian journalists reporting from the Gaza Strip, where Israel carried out airstrikes and ground operations in response to Hamas’ attacks.
The IFJ said that the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed any other conflict in terms of journalist fatalities since the IFJ began keeping records in 1990. The IFJ condemned the attacks on journalists and media outlets by both sides and called for an independent investigation into the violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.
The IFJ also expressed its concern over the incidents of deaths of media persons in other countries, such as Afghanistan, the Philippines, India, China, and Bangladesh. The IFJ said that nearly 400 journalists have been jailed worldwide and that many of them face harassment, intimidation, censorship, and violence. The IFJ called for better protection for media workers and for those who attack them to be held accountable.
IFJ President Dominique Pradali said that it is urgent to create new global standards to protect journalists and to ensure their safety and freedom. He said that the IFJ will continue to advocate for the rights of journalists and to support their families and colleagues. He said that the IFJ will also commemorate the journalists who have died in the line of duty on December 31, 2023, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
