Since the start of 2024, the world has witnessed 104 media workers killed while doing their job – the job of bringing information to citizens. These numbers come from the International Federation of Journalists’ annual report on journalists and media workers killed in the line of duty. The data is still incomplete, as accurate counts often take months or years, and there is still time left in the year. This does appear to mark a slight decrease from the 129 media professionals killed in 2023, but the overarching story is that we have a worldwide epidemic of violence against media, and particularly journalists. That’s why it’s time for the United Nations to issue an international binding convention on journalist safety.
As seen on the map above, much of the violence is concentrated in the Middle East. 55 deaths of media workers are a result of the Gaza War. That’s more than half the total from the entire world. 520 journalists are currently in prison -- an increase from each of the last two years. Authoritarian regimes are naturally the worst culprits, as journalists will expose corruption and hold power to account. China has imprisoned 135 journalists, which is the most of any country in the world.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger spoke on the data: "These sad figures show once again how fragile is press freedom and how risky and dangerous is the profession of journalism. The public's need for information is very real at a time when authoritarian regimes are developing all over the world.”
Canada and the United States have not had any media professionals killed in 2024 thus far, but that doesn’t mean our journalists are immune from abuse, violence and wrongful arrest. Notably, two female Canadian journalists – Brandy Morin and Savanna Craig – were both arrested on frivolous charges that were later dropped. Veteran reporter David Pugliese was baselessly accused of being a Russian asset, by a former conservative cabinet minister during a parliamentary hearing. These types of attacks on our media workers must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
That’s why MAP is joining the IFJ in calling for an international binding convention from the United Nations on the safety of journalists!
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