THE International Federation of Journalists said today that 122 media workers have been killed across the globe in 2024.

The IFJ said its annual Killed List showed 2024 was one of the deadliest years for journalists and said it underlined the urgency of the United Nations adopting an international convention for the protection of journalists.

On December 10, International Human Rights Day, the IFJ published an initial list of journalists killed this year documenting 104 killings. 

It says the updated list of December 31 is largely the result of additional deaths in the Middle East and the Arab world where at least nine more journalists have been killed in Palestine and at least two in Syria.

The IFJ said its figures also showed that 516 journalists were in prison — a sharp increase compared with 2023 (427) and 2022 (375). 

IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of 122 media professionals killed this year. 

“To guarantee that the deaths of journalists do not go unpunished and to put an end to this scourge once and for all, we urge UN member states to take steps to ensure the adoption of a binding convention on the safety of journalists.”

He added: “Such a convention would aim to end journalists’ deaths and injuries that sadly occur every year.”