Reporters Without Borders has announced the death of 45 journalists in 2023, a figure that matches half of what was previously reported by the International Federation of Journalists.
According to the organization, the year 2023 witnessed the killing of 45 journalists while performing their professional duties, slightly fewer than in 2022. Despite the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which resulted in the death of no fewer than 17 journalists, Reporters Without Borders reported.
The annual report of the organization indicates that last year, 61 journalists were killed worldwide. The current year’s toll is the lowest in over two decades since 33 journalists were killed in 2002. More than a third of the deaths in 2023 are linked to conflicts in the Middle East, including 13 in the Gaza Strip.
Christophe Deloire, the Secretary-General of the organization, told AFP, “We are witnessing a steady decline in deaths, far from the 140 journalists killed in 2012 and then 2013,” particularly due to the wars in Syria and Iraq. “However, this does not diminish the tragedy in Gaza.”
Furthermore, the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip announced last Wednesday evening that the death toll of journalists had risen to 89 since October 7.
About a week ago, the International Federation of Journalists released a report counting the deaths of 94 journalists and media workers, including 9 female journalists, in 2023. The report highlighted the death of 68 journalists since the start of the conflict in Gaza, averaging more than one killing per day.
In 2023, there has been a notable decline in the number of journalists killed on the job worldwide, despite the dangerous situation in specific regions like Gaza. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that 45 journalists were killed in the first 11 months of the year, which is a decrease from the 61 journalists killed in the previous year. This figure represents the lowest number of journalist deaths since 2002, when 33 journalists were killed.
Gaza has been identified as the most lethal place for journalists in 2023. At least 13 journalists were killed while actively covering the conflict in Gaza, according to RSF’s annual report. The total number of journalists killed in Gaza, irrespective of their line of work, was 56. This situation has led to concerns from various human rights organizations and calls for investigations into possible war crimes related to the deaths of journalists in the region.
Despite the high death toll in the Gaza war, the overall number of journalists killed while doing their job in 2023 was the lowest in decades. This decline is attributed to fewer journalists being targeted in Latin America and reduced violence in countries like Syria and Iraq. RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire mentioned that while the numbers have decreased, the tragedy in Gaza remains significant.
In addition to Gaza, Ukraine and Mexico have also continued to be dangerous for journalists. In Ukraine, two journalists were killed covering the war in 2023, including AFP reporter Arman Soldin, and 11 reporters have been killed since the conflict began in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion. In Latin America, the number of journalist deaths decreased significantly, with six reporters killed in 2023 compared to 26 in 2022. However, Mexico remains a dangerous country for journalists, with continued kidnappings and attacks being reported.
