Bangladesh among deadliest countries for journalists: RSF
Bangladesh was among the top four deadliest countries for journalists in 2024, according to the annual report by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) released on Thursday (December 12).
The report highlights Palestine, particularly Gaza, as the most dangerous place for journalists, recording the highest death toll in the past five years. In 2024 alone, Gaza accounted for the deaths of 16 journalists, with an additional two killed in Lebanon, all attributed to Israeli armed forces.
Global rankings and death toll
After Gaza, the deadliest countries for journalists this year were Pakistan with seven deaths, followed by Bangladesh and Mexico, each recording five journalist fatalities.
RSF reported that Israeli forces were responsible for the deaths of 18 journalists this year. The organization has filed four complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the Israeli military of "war crimes committed against journalists."
RSF described the situation in Gaza as "an unprecedented bloodbath," noting that more than 145 journalists had been killed there since the start of the conflict in October 2023. Of these, 35 were actively working at the time of their deaths.
Discrepancy in figures
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in a separate report published on Tuesday, recorded 104 journalist deaths worldwide in 2024, with more than half occurring in Gaza. The discrepancy between RSF and IFJ figures stems from differing methodologies: RSF only includes deaths directly linked to professional activities, while the IFJ considers broader contexts.
Israel disputes the figures provided by RSF. “We don’t accept these numbers. We don’t believe they are correct,” said Israeli government spokesperson David Mercer during a press conference on Wednesday, adding that any journalist casualties were incidental during airstrikes on military targets.
Rising risks for journalists worldwide
Globally, 550 journalists were imprisoned as of December 1, up from 513 last year, according to RSF. The countries with the highest numbers of detained journalists are China (124, including 11 in Hong Kong), Myanmar (61), and Israel (41).
In addition, 55 journalists are currently held hostage, with nearly half (25) in the hands of the Islamic State group. Ninety-five journalists remain missing, including four new cases reported in 2024.
The grim statistics mark a significant increase in violence and repression against journalists compared to 2023, when 45 journalist fatalities were recorded during the same period.
