Geneva, 16 July 2026: 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,” Blaise Lempen, President of PEC, a global media safety and rights body, adding, “But 39 murders is still too many. The Israeli military was once again responsible for a high number of journalist deaths, especially in Lebanon”.
In the Middle East (19 killed), 9 media workers were killed in Lebanon during Israeli military operations, and 7 in Gaza. In addition, there was 1 casualty in Syria, 1 in Iran, and 1 in Yemen. Since October 7, 2023, according to the PEC’s tally, a total of 228 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the fighting in Gaza (7 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 5 journalists murdered (including two murdered in June but found dead in July). Next are Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela (excluding earthquake victims), with 2 killed in each country, and Guatemala, with 1 killed. In Asia (6 killed), the Philippines was the deadliest country, with 3 killed, followed by Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, with 1 victim in each country.
Finally, in Africa, 2 journalists were killed — 1 in Somalia and 1 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 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 (6 in India, 5 Bangladesh, 5 Pakistan, 4 Philippines, 2 Afghanistan and 1 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), where 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.
Nava Thakuria is a senior journalist from Assam with over three decades of experience in mainstream and freelance journalism. Born on 1 January 1968 at Bhojkuchi in western Assam, he began his career with Natun Dainik in 1990. His writings are regularly published in several national and international platforms, including The Statesman, Ishan Darpan, Pressenza International News Agency, South Asia Journal and Eurasia Review. He mainly writes on socio-political, cultural, media and environmental issues concerning North East India and neighbouring regions. An alumnus of Assam Engineering College, Thakuria was selected for global recognition by the Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign in 2021 and now represents the organisation from South and South East Asia.
Nava Thakuria
View More PostsNava Thakuria is a senior journalist from Assam with over three decades of experience in mainstream and freelance journalism. Born on 1 January 1968 at Bhojkuchi in western Assam, he began his career with Natun Dainik in 1990. His writings are regularly published in several national and international platforms, including The Statesman, Ishan Darpan, Pressenza International News Agency, South Asia Journal and Eurasia Review. He mainly writes on socio-political, cultural, media and environmental issues concerning North East India and neighbouring regions. An alumnus of Assam Engineering College, Thakuria was selected for global recognition by the Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign in 2021 and now represents the organisation from South and South East Asia.
