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2024 deadliest year for journos

Published : Wednesday, 19 February, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 400
Musharraf Tansen
The recently published report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) presents a grim reality: 2024 was the deadliest year on record for journalists. At least 124 media workers were killed across 18 countries, with an overwhelming 70% of these deaths occurring in conflict zones involving Israel, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon. The report indicates that 85 journalists lost their lives in these areas alone, 82 of whom were Palestinians. These shocking statistics underscore the grave dangers that journalists face in war zones and politically volatile regions worldwide.

The loss of journalists on such a massive scale is not just a tragedy for the media industry but a blow to press freedom and democracy itself. The ability of journalists to report from the ground without fear of violence or persecution is fundamental to ensuring transparency and accountability. Yet, the CPJ report paints a disturbing picture of how press freedoms are being eroded globally. Beyond the Middle East, journalist fatalities were also recorded in Sudan and Pakistan, where six deaths occurred in each country. In Sudan, a devastating civil war has left thousands dead and millions displaced, further highlighting the extreme risks faced by journalists covering conflict zones.

One of the most troubling aspects of the report is the increased targeting of freelance journalists. More than 35% of those killed were freelancers-individuals who often work without the protection of major media organizations. Freelance journalists play a crucial role in reporting from under-covered regions and providing firsthand accounts of crises that would otherwise go unreported. Their vulnerability highlights the urgent need for stronger protections and support systems for independent journalists worldwide.

A deeper analysis of the CPJ report reveals a troubling trend: journalists are being deliberately targeted for their work. At least 24 journalists were assassinated due to their reporting, with cases documented in Haiti, Mexico, Pakistan, Myanmar, Mozambique, India, Iraq, and Sudan. These killings are not merely collateral damage in conflict zones but are deliberate attempts to silence the press. The perpetrators-ranging from state actors to criminal groups-seek to intimidate and suppress the truth, ensuring that stories exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and political repression never reach the public.

Bangladesh is not exempt from this worrying trend. The country has witnessed growing hostilities towards journalists, particularly those covering political protests and government activities. The CPJ report highlights that dozens of journalists in Bangladesh faced attacks while reporting on anti-government demonstrations, and at least four remain detained following the establishment of the interim government in August 2024. This trend follows a broader crackdown on dissenting voices, where digital security laws and defamation cases have been used to stifle independent journalism.

Journalists in Bangladesh, especially those covering sensitive topics such as corruption, extrajudicial killings, and labor rights, often face harassment, threats, and even physical violence. The shrinking space for free press in Bangladesh is alarming, as it signals a move towards increased authoritarian control over the flow of information. Without a free and independent press, citizens are deprived of their right to know, and democracy itself is undermined.

Enhancing safety measures for journalists, particularly those reporting in conflict zones, is also essential. Media organizations must prioritize their reporters' security by providing safety training, protective equipment, and mental health support. Freelance journalists, who often lack institutional backing, should have access to emergency funds and insurance to mitigate risks. At the same time, international pressure on governments that suppress press freedom must be intensified. Global leaders and human rights organizations must exert diplomatic pressure on governments with high levels of journalist killings, ensuring that they face international scrutiny and, if necessary, sanctions.
Equally important is raising public awareness about the increasing threats to press freedom and why it matters. Media literacy programs can help citizens understand the significance of independent journalism in holding power to account and defending democratic values. A well-informed society is better equipped to resist disinformation and authoritarian control, making it imperative to educate people on the crucial role journalists play in democracy. Without immediate and coordinated action, the erosion of press freedom will continue, posing a severe threat to truth, transparency, and human rights worldwide.

The CPJ report serves as a stark reminder that journalism is becoming an increasingly dangerous profession. The rise in journalist killings is not just a series of isolated incidents-it is part of a broader, more alarming pattern of silencing the press worldwide. If this trend continues unchecked, the free flow of information and the very foundation of democracy are at risk.

Protecting journalists is not just a media issue-it is a fundamental human rights imperative. Without independent journalism, corruption goes unchecked, human rights abuses remain hidden, and the voices of the vulnerable are silenced. As we reflect on this sobering report, we must reaffirm our commitment to press freedom and demand justice for those who have risked-and lost-their lives in the pursuit of truth.

Now more than ever, the world must stand in solidarity with journalists and ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain. The fight for press freedom is the fight for truth, justice, and democracy itself.

The writer is a contributor


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