Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said that Israel was responsible for nearly half of the journalists killed this year across the world. In its annual report released on Tuesday (Dec 9) on violence against journalists, the international organisation said that 43 per cent of the journalists slain in the last 12 months were killed in Gaza by Israeli armed forces. The report also added that reporters were also targeted in Ukraine, where the Russian army continues to target foreign and Ukrainian journalists, and in Sudan, which has emerged as a deadly war zone for news professionals. A total of 67 journalists were killed across the world for their work in the last 12 months.According to the RSF report, since October 2023, the Israeli military has killed nearly 220 journalists. It added that “at least 65 of whom were slain either due to their work or while they were working.”Highlighting deadly crimes against journalists across the world, RSF said, “Journalists do not just die – they are killed. The number of murdered journalists has risen again, due to the criminal practices of military groups — both regular and paramilitary — and organised crime. At least 53 of the 67 media professionals killed over the past year are victims of war or criminal networks.”The report also mentioned that out of 503 journalists detained globally, 20 were imprisoned in Israel as of December 1, 2025. World’s largest prison for reporters emerged in China, with 121 journalists in jail, followed by Russia (48) and Myanmar (47). RSF stated that most foreign journalists were detained by Russia (26).RSF stated that most foreign journalists were detained by Russia (26). Following Moscow, Israel is the second country to imprison the largest number of foreign reporters. “As of 1 December 2025, 20 Palestinian journalists are behind Israeli bars, 16 of whom were arrested over the past two years in Gaza and the West Bank,” the report said.Mexico witnessed an alarming spike in journalist murders in 2025, for which organised crime groups are responsible, becoming the second most dangerous country in the world for journalists. Nine reporters were killed in the country this year, while 28 are missing.Meanwhile, Syria has the highest number of missing journalists. As per RSF, “37 journalists are currently missing in Syria. Many were held hostage by ISIS or imprisoned by Bashar al-Assad, but the downfall of these two regimes has not yet led to the recovery of these journalists.”The report added that 20 journalists are currently held hostage worldwide, with seven taken by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The report also mentioned that out of 503 journalists detained globally, 20 were imprisoned in Israel as of December 1, 2025. World’s largest prison for reporters emerged in China, with 121 journalists in jail, followed by Russia (48) and Myanmar (47).

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said that Israel was responsible for nearly half of the journalists killed this year across the world. In its annual report released on Tuesday (Dec 9) on violence against journalists, the international organisation said that 43 per cent of the journalists slain in the last 12 months were killed in Gaza by Israeli armed forces. The report also added that reporters were also targeted in Ukraine, where the Russian army continues to target foreign and Ukrainian journalists, and in Sudan, which has emerged as a deadly war zone for news professionals. A total of 67 journalists were killed across the world for their work in the last 12 months. According to the RSF report, since October 2023, the Israeli military has killed nearly 220 journalists. It added that “at least 65 of whom were slain either due to their work or while they were working.” Highlighting deadly crimes against journalists across the world, RSF said, “Journalists do not just die – they are killed. The number of murdered journalists has risen again, due to the criminal practices of military groups — both regular and paramilitary — and organised crime. At least 53 of the 67 media professionals killed over the past year are victims of war or criminal networks.” The report also mentioned that out of 503 journalists detained globally, 20 were imprisoned in Israel as of December 1, 2025. World’s largest prison for reporters emerged in China, with 121 journalists in jail, followed by Russia (48) and Myanmar (47). RSF stated that most foreign journalists were detained by Russia (26). RSF stated that most foreign journalists were detained by Russia (26). Following Moscow, Israel is the second country to imprison the largest number of foreign reporters. “As of 1 December 2025, 20 Palestinian journalists are behind Israeli bars, 16 of whom were arrested over the past two years in Gaza and the West Bank,” the report said. Mexico witnessed an alarming spike in journalist murders in 2025, for which organised crime groups are responsible, becoming the second most dangerous country in the world for journalists. Nine reporters were killed in the country this year, while 28 are missing. Meanwhile, Syria has the highest number of missing journalists. As per RSF, “37 journalists are currently missing in Syria. Many were held hostage by ISIS or imprisoned by Bashar al-Assad, but the downfall of these two regimes has not yet led to the recovery of these journalists.” The report added that 20 journalists are currently held hostage worldwide, with seven taken by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The report also mentioned that out of 503 journalists detained globally, 20 were imprisoned in Israel as of December 1, 2025. World’s largest prison for reporters emerged in China, with 121 journalists in jail, followed by Russia (48) and Myanmar (47).

Israel responsible for nearly half journalist killings in 2025: RSF report

Pakistan has seen a record number of journalist deaths, with seven killed in the first six months of 2024, according to media freedom groups.

Among these, two journalists were killed in a span of three days in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Khyber News reporter Khalil Jibran was shot dead by two unknown motorcyclists on 18 June, 2024 in Landikotal, said the Freedom Network, a group that monitors Pakistani media, in a recent report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-father-ties-15-day-old-daughter-in-sack-buries-her-alive-this-is-what-he-told-the-police-738866">Pakistan: Father ties 15-day-old daughter in sack, buries her alive. This is what he told the police</a>

Jibran, a veteran journalist who covered 9/11 terror attacks among other news for the publication, was the latest victim of the killings.&nbsp;

Just two days prior to Jubran's death, 24-year-old YouTuber Saad Ahmed was shot dead in the Sakhi Hasan area of Karachi.

Ahmed was interviewing shopkeepers and businessmen at a marketplace about the T20 World Cup Cricket tournament, where Pakistan had a disastrous performance.

In May, Sindhi journalist Nasrullah Gadani and North Waziristan’s digital journalist Kamran Dawar were killed, according to Freedom Network.&nbsp;Dawar was killed in the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-isi-can-now-officially-listen-to-phone-calls-and-trace-them-739243">Pakistan’s ISI can now officially listen to phone calls and trace them</a>

The Freedom Network also said that in the same month, 10 cases were recorded in relation to journalists, including attempt to murder, detentions, kidnapping, and online harassment of a woman journalist.

As per the group's record, 53 journalists were killed between 2012 and 2022.

Only two cases among these resulted in convictions.

In the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan is at 152nd place out of 180 countries listed by Reporters Without Borders.&nbsp;

It described Pakistan as “one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with three to four murders each year that are often linked to cases of corruption or illegal trafficking and which go completely unpunished”.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan has seen a record number of journalist deaths, with seven killed in the first six months of 2024, according to media freedom groups. Among these, two journalists were killed in a span of three days in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Pakistan has seen a record number of journalist deaths, with seven killed in the first six months of 2024, according to media freedom groups. Among these, two journalists were killed in a span of three days in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Khyber News reporter Khalil Jibran was shot dead by two unknown motorcyclists on 18 June, 2024 in Landikotal, said the Freedom Network, a group that monitors Pakistani media, in a recent report. Also read | Pakistan: Father ties 15-day-old daughter in sack, buries her alive. This is what he told the police Jibran, a veteran journalist who covered 9/11 terror attacks among other news for the publication, was the latest victim of the killings. Just two days prior to Jubran's death, 24-year-old YouTuber Saad Ahmed was shot dead in the Sakhi Hasan area of Karachi. Ahmed was interviewing shopkeepers and businessmen at a marketplace about the T20 World Cup Cricket tournament, where Pakistan had a disastrous performance. In May, Sindhi journalist Nasrullah Gadani and North Waziristan’s digital journalist Kamran Dawar were killed, according to Freedom Network. Dawar was killed in the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Also read | Pakistan’s ISI can now officially listen to phone calls and trace them The Freedom Network also said that in the same month, 10 cases were recorded in relation to journalists, including attempt to murder, detentions, kidnapping, and online harassment of a woman journalist. As per the group's record, 53 journalists were killed between 2012 and 2022. Only two cases among these resulted in convictions. In the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan is at 152nd place out of 180 countries listed by Reporters Without Borders. It described Pakistan as “one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with three to four murders each year that are often linked to cases of corruption or illegal trafficking and which go completely unpunished”. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan sees new record in journalist killings: six in seven months, two in three days

Filipina journalist Maria <a name="_Hlk90157014">Ressa</a>, while accepting her Nobel Peace Prize, launched a tirade against US social media giants holding them responsible for fuelling a flood of “toxic sludge” in the social platform.

Without naming “American internet companies” such as Facebook and Twitter, the 58-year-old said that they are “making more money by spreading hate and triggering the worst in us.”

“With its god-like power, their technology has allowed a virus of lies to infect each of us, pitting us against each other, bringing out our fears, anger and hate, and setting the stage for the rise of authoritarians and dictators around the world,” she said to a scaled-down audience to due to pandemic at Oslo’s City Hall.

“Our greatest need today is to transform that hate and violence, the toxic sludge that’s coursing through our information ecosystem, prioritised by American internet companies that make more money by spreading that hate and triggering the worst in us,” Ressa, the co-founder of news website Rappler, said.

These companies “are biased against facts, biased against journalists. They are — by design — dividing us and radicalising us,” she said.

Ressa highlighted the importance of reliable facts at a time when the world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic or facing upcoming elections in countries like France, the United States, the Philippines and Hungary.

Ressa, a vocal critic of Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war, is herself facing seven criminal lawsuits in her country, which she said could see her sent to prison for 100 years.

Currently on bail pending an appeal against a conviction last year in a cyber libel case, she had to apply to four courts for permission to travel to Norway for Friday’s ceremony.

Her co-laureate Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, meanwhile called for a minute of silence during the Nobel ceremony to honour all journalists killed in the line of duty.

Novaya Gazeta is one of the rare independent newspapers in a Russian media landscape largely under state control, reports news agency AFP.

Known for its investigations into corruption and human rights abuses in Chechnya, Novaya Gazeta has seen six of its journalists killed since the 1990s, including famed investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, murdered in 2006.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded them the&nbsp;2021 Nobel Peace Prize&nbsp;for their separate fights for freedom of expression in countries where reporters have faced persistent attacks, harassment and killings.

(With inputs from agencies)

Filipina journalist Maria Ressa, while accepting her Nobel Peace Prize, launched a tirade against US social media giants holding them responsible for fuelling a flood of “toxic sludge” in the social platform.

Filipina journalist Maria Ressa, while accepting her Nobel Peace Prize, launched a tirade against US social media giants holding them responsible for fuelling a flood of “toxic sludge” in the social platform. Without naming “American internet companies” such as Facebook and Twitter, the 58-year-old said that they are “making more money by spreading hate and triggering the worst in us.” “With its god-like power, their technology has allowed a virus of lies to infect each of us, pitting us against each other, bringing out our fears, anger and hate, and setting the stage for the rise of authoritarians and dictators around the world,” she said to a scaled-down audience to due to pandemic at Oslo’s City Hall. “Our greatest need today is to transform that hate and violence, the toxic sludge that’s coursing through our information ecosystem, prioritised by American internet companies that make more money by spreading that hate and triggering the worst in us,” Ressa, the co-founder of news website Rappler, said. These companies “are biased against facts, biased against journalists. They are — by design — dividing us and radicalising us,” she said. Ressa highlighted the importance of reliable facts at a time when the world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic or facing upcoming elections in countries like France, the United States, the Philippines and Hungary. Ressa, a vocal critic of Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war, is herself facing seven criminal lawsuits in her country, which she said could see her sent to prison for 100 years. Currently on bail pending an appeal against a conviction last year in a cyber libel case, she had to apply to four courts for permission to travel to Norway for Friday’s ceremony. Her co-laureate Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, meanwhile called for a minute of silence during the Nobel ceremony to honour all journalists killed in the line of duty. Novaya Gazeta is one of the rare independent newspapers in a Russian media landscape largely under state control, reports news agency AFP. Known for its investigations into corruption and human rights abuses in Chechnya, Novaya Gazeta has seen six of its journalists killed since the 1990s, including famed investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, murdered in 2006. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded them the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their separate fights for freedom of expression in countries where reporters have faced persistent attacks, harassment and killings. (With inputs from agencies)

Nobel winner journalist Ressa slams US social media giants for fuelling ‘hate and anger’

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-police-suspects-role-of-illegal-bangladeshis-in-seemapuri-violence-say-sources-272006">Special Investigation Team</a> (SIT) probing the murder case of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, arrested one of the accused, Rushikesh Devdikar. 
 
According to SIT, Devdikar was a part of the conspiracy to kill <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/irish-band-u2-pays-tribute-to-women-icons-smriti-irani-gauri-lankesh-and-arundhati-roy-during-their-mumbai-concert-268510">Gauri Lankesh</a>. He is the eighteenth accused in the case. 
 
The probe team is searching his house for clues and he will be produced before the Judicial Magistrate on Friday. 
 
Originally Devdikar is from Aurangabad, Maharashtra but the day he was arrested, he was hiding in a house in Katras, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jharkhand-polls-bjp-announces-list-of-52-candidates-261212">Dhanbad</a> district of Jharkhand. 
 
The 44-year old absconding accused was primarily involved in the murder of the left-leaning journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was shot outside her house by two assailants in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017.

Lankesh was allegedly killed by a member of a gang on being identified as "durjan" (evil person) in a book by the Sanatan Sanstha.

From noted&nbsp;playwright Girish Karnad and rationalist, K S Bhagawan to Gauri Lankesh and others, the gang had also prepared a list of the people whom they wanted to kill.&nbsp;

Sanatan Sanstha&nbsp;was also accused of&nbsp;killing of the&nbsp;rationalist MM Kalburgi.

<aside>
A strong defence team has been trying to dismantle the allegations made by the SIT ever since a&nbsp;9,325-page&nbsp;charge sheet was filed against those who were involved in the murder.

The charge sheet names 18 people, of which two are still at large, have been accused of indoctrination, conspiracy, undergoing weapons procurement and training, mobilisation of funds and carrying out the murder among other charges.
</aside>

(With Inputs from agencies)

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder case of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, arrested one of the accused, Rushikesh Devdikar. According to SIT, Devdikar was a part of the conspiracy to kill Gauri Lankesh.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder case of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, arrested one of the accused, Rushikesh Devdikar. According to SIT, Devdikar was a part of the conspiracy to kill Gauri Lankesh. He is the eighteenth accused in the case. The probe team is searching his house for clues and he will be produced before the Judicial Magistrate on Friday. Originally Devdikar is from Aurangabad, Maharashtra but the day he was arrested, he was hiding in a house in Katras, Dhanbad district of Jharkhand. The 44-year old absconding accused was primarily involved in the murder of the left-leaning journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was shot outside her house by two assailants in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. Lankesh was allegedly killed by a member of a gang on being identified as "durjan" (evil person) in a book by the Sanatan Sanstha. From noted playwright Girish Karnad and rationalist, K S Bhagawan to Gauri Lankesh and others, the gang had also prepared a list of the people whom they wanted to kill. Sanatan Sanstha was also accused of killing of the rationalist MM Kalburgi. A strong defence team has been trying to dismantle the allegations made by the SIT ever since a 9,325-page charge sheet was filed against those who were involved in the murder. The charge sheet names 18 people, of which two are still at large, have been accused of indoctrination, conspiracy, undergoing weapons procurement and training, mobilisation of funds and carrying out the murder among other charges. (With Inputs from agencies)

Gauri Lankesh Murder Case: SIT arrests absconding accused Rushikesh Devdikar

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