Bangladesh among top 4 deadliest countries for journalists: RSF

Bangladesh was among the top four deadliest countries for journalists in 2024, according to an annual report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) published today (12 December).

"Palestine is the most dangerous country for journalists, recording a higher death toll than any other country over the past five years," RSF said in its annual report, which covers data up to 1 December.

According to the press freedom NGO, Israeli armed forces were responsible for the deaths of 18 journalists this year – 16 in Gaza and two in Lebanon, reports BSS.

After Gaza, the deadliest places for journalists in 2024 were Pakistan with seven deaths, followed by Bangladesh and Mexico with five deaths each.

The organisation has filed four complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for "war crimes committed against journalists by the Israeli army."

It said that in total "more than 145" journalists had been killed by the Israeli army in Gaza since the start of the war there in October 2023, with 35 of them working at the time of their deaths, RSF said.

It described the number of killings as "an unprecedented bloodbath."

In a separate report published Tuesday, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported that 104 journalists were killed worldwide in 2024, with more than half of them in Gaza.

The figures differ between the IFJ and RSF due to two different methodologies used in calculating the toll.

RSF only includes journalists whose deaths have been "proven to be directly related to their professional activity."

Israel denies that it intentionally harms journalists but admits that some have been killed in air strikes on military targets.

"We do not accept these figures. We do not believe they are correct," Israeli government spokesman David Mercer told a press conference on Wednesday.

In 2023, the number of journalists killed worldwide stood at 45 in the same January-December period.

According to RSF figures, 550 journalists were imprisoned worldwide as of 1 December, compared to 513 last year.

The three countries with the highest numbers of detained journalists are China (124, including 11 in Hong Kong), Myanmar (61), and Israel (41).

Furthermore, 55 journalists are currently being held hostage, including two abducted in 2024. Nearly half – 25 in total – are in the hands of the Islamic State group.

In addition, 95 journalists are reported missing, including four new cases reported in 2024.