Journalists targeted in armed conflicts

The whole world is now aware of reports on the safety of journalists, which reveal a grim reality: the profession is more dangerous than ever. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), this year has been one of the bloodiest for journalists, especially in the conflict zones of Gaza and Lebanon.

According to the RSF report published yesterday, more than 145 journalists have been killed by the Israeli army since October 2023, at least 35 of whom lost their lives while reporting on events. The International Federation of Journalists estimates that more than half of the journalists killed worldwide this year were victims in Gaza. "It is a massacre," says the IFJ, while RSF describes the situation as "an unprecedented slaughter."

• Gaza, the most dangerous place for journalists

"We reject these figures, we do not believe they are accurate," Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told AFP. "We know that most journalists in Gaza probably operate under the auspices of Hamas and that until Hamas is destroyed, they will not be allowed to report freely," he added. The figures differ between RSF and IFJ due to a disagreement over the calculation method. RSF only counts journalists for whom it has determined "that they were killed because of their work," and not "those targeted for reasons unrelated to their profession or for whom the connection to their work has not yet been confirmed." Beyond the figures, the two NGOs agree on the findings. "Palestine is the most dangerous country for journalists, with the highest number of deaths of any country in the last five years," RSF says. In total, "more than 145" journalists have been killed by the Israeli army since October 2023 in Gaza, of whom "at least 35 were on duty", according to the NGO. These figures rise to 155 and 40 respectively if Lebanon is included, adds RSF, which deplores "an unprecedented massacre". The organization has filed four complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for "war crimes committed against journalists by the Israeli army". "Journalism is threatened with extinction in the Gaza enclave", Anne Bocande, RSF's editorial director, told AFP. She highlights a "blackout" that has "multiple dimensions": in addition to "abuses committed directly against journalists", Gaza has remained "off-limits for more than a year", with "entire areas that are no longer accessible at all and where we do not know what is happening".

Anthony Bellanger, the secretary general of the Brussels-based IFJ, condemned "the massacre that is taking place in Palestine before the eyes of the whole world." "Many journalists are being deliberately targeted," he told AFP.

Israel "clearly does not target journalists," David Mencer assured AFP. According to RSF, the places where most journalists were killed in 2024 after Gaza were Pakistan (7), Bangladesh and Mexico (5 each).

• Journalists in prison

In addition to journalists killed, RSF also counts those imprisoned. As of December 1, there were 550 journalists in prison worldwide (compared to 513 last year). The three countries that imprison the most journalists are China (124, including 11 in Hong Kong), Burma (61) and Israel (41), which "has systematized administrative detention," according to RSF. In addition, 55 journalists are currently being held hostage, two of whom were kidnapped in 2024. Almost half (25) are in the hands of the Islamic State group. On the other hand, 95 journalists are missing, four of whom in 2024.