Jan 01, Kathmandu - A total of 128 journalists were killed worldwide in 2025, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said on Thursday. More than half of them were in the Middle East.

“This increase from 2024 is not just a statistic, it is a global red alert for our colleagues,” said IFJ Secretary General Anthony Belanger. The press group expressed particular concern over the killing of 56 media professionals in the Palestinian territories during the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

“We have never seen anything like this: so many deaths in such a short time, in such a small area,” Belanger said. Journalists were also killed in Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, Peru, India and elsewhere. He condemned those behind the attacks, warning of “impunity.” “Without justice, it allows the killers of journalists to flourish,” he said.

The IFJ said there were currently 533 journalists in prison around the world. That’s more than double the number in the past half-decade. 143 journalists are in prison in Hong Kong, where authorities have imposed a national security law to crack down on dissent. Western nations have criticized the move, ranking Hong Kong at the top of their list of the worst jailers.

The IFJ figures appear to be higher than those of Reporters Without Borders. This year’s IFJ tally also includes nine journalists killed in accidents. Reporters Without Borders reported 67 journalist murders, while UNESCO has 93.