UNESCO: Six Out of Seven Journalist Killings Go Unpunished Worldwide

New York — Six out of every seven journalist killings worldwide go unpunished, highlighting a growing crisis of accountability and press freedom, according to a new report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The report warns that journalists continue to face deadly risks while reporting from conflict zones, with drone attacks emerging as an increasingly serious threat.

UNESCO released its latest Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity on November 2, 2026, marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The report documents 189 journalists and media workers killed worldwide during 2024 and 2025. That represents a 20 percent increase compared with the previous two-year period and the highest total since 2014-2015.

Of the 189 journalists killed, 127, or approximately 67 percent, lost their lives in conflict zones. UNESCO also found that the global impunity rate for journalist killings reached 86 percent during the 2024-2025 period, up one percentage point from the previous two-year reporting period. The organization has monitored impunity in journalist killings since 2012. The latest increase marks a reversal of progress made over more than a decade.

The report identifies drone attacks as an increasingly dangerous threat to journalists working in conflict areas. During 2024 and 2025, drone strikes killed 50 journalists, accounting for approximately 40 percent of journalist deaths in conflict zones. UNESCO also documented attacks on media workplaces and temporary reporting centers, including incidents in which journalists were killed while wearing press vests or traveling in vehicles clearly marked “Press.” At least 15 journalists were killed in such circumstances.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the continuing lack of accountability. In his message marking the international day, he said that at least 34 journalists had lost their lives over the past year and that six out of every seven journalist killings went unpunished. In conflict settings, the rate of impunity is close to 100 percent. Guterres described the failure to bring perpetrators to justice as an affront not only to victims and their families but also to everyone who depends on journalists for information.

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany warned that journalists are increasingly paying with their lives for reporting from the frontlines of war, while those responsible for their deaths often escape accountability. He called for stronger protection of journalists and urged governments to respect and implement UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which recognizes the need to protect journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians during armed conflicts.

The report also highlights the particular dangers faced by women journalists. In addition to threats in conflict zones, women reporters increasingly face online harassment, intimidation and abuse that can lead to offline violence. UNESCO has warned that protecting women journalists requires effective safeguards both online and in the physical environments where they work.

Despite the worsening global figures, the report also identifies some progress. In countries not experiencing armed conflict, the impunity rate for journalist killings has fallen from 94 percent in 2012 to 77 percent in 2026. The number of journalist killings in non-conflict zones has also reached its lowest level in 18 years. UNESCO says this demonstrates that progress is possible when governments invest in investigations, prosecutions and effective protection measures.

The report renews calls for governments to investigate journalist killings, prosecute those responsible and create safer conditions for independent reporting. UNESCO emphasizes that journalist safety is not merely a media industry concern. It is directly linked to freedom of expression, the public’s right to information and the protection of democratic institutions.