The African continent joined the global mourning as the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) revealed in its annual Killed List that 122 journalists and media workers, including 14 women, lost their lives in 2024. Africa, which recorded 10 murders of journalists, remains a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those reporting from conflict zones and oppressive regimes.
This grim revelation, released on 31 December, indicates a perilous year for journalism globally. The IFJ is urging the United Nations to expedite the adoption of an International Convention for the Protection of Journalists to address the increasing threats to press freedom and safety.
The African region accounted for 10 of the year’s fatalities, with Sudan bearing the brunt of the toll. Six journalists lost their lives amid the ongoing power struggle between Sudanese generals, a conflict that has devastated the country. Elsewhere, two Somali journalists were killed, and individual deaths were reported in Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While Cameroon was not directly named in the year’s killings, the nation continues to grapple with a hostile environment for journalists. Past reports of threats, intimidation, and arrests in regions such as the North West and South West, where conflict persists, highlight the precariousness of the media landscape.
The IFJ report draws a chilling picture of journalism under siege worldwide. The Middle East and Arab World suffered the heaviest losses, with 77 media workers killed, primarily due to the war in Gaza and Lebanon. Palestine alone accounted for 64 of these deaths, solidifying its place as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in modern history.
In Asia-Pacific, 22 journalists were killed, including seven in Pakistan and five in Bangladesh. The Americas recorded nine deaths, mainly linked to reports on drug trafficking. Meanwhile, four journalists died in Europe, with the ongoing war in Ukraine contributing to the fatalities.
Journalists face dangers beyond loss of life. The IFJ recorded 516 journalists imprisoned globally as of 31 December 2024—a stark increase from previous years. China, including Hong Kong, remains the world’s leading jailer of media professionals, with 135 journalists behind bars. Africa accounted for 17 of these incarcerations.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary, expressed deep concern over the year’s figures.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the 122 media professionals killed this year. Behind this high figure, there are 122 truncated stories,” he said.
Bellanger reiterated the Federation’s call for a binding international convention on journalist safety.
“Such a Convention would aim to end the journalist deaths and injuries that sadly occur every year,” he emphasised.
In Cameroon, the safety of journalists remains a pressing issue. The country’s ongoing conflict in the Anglophone regions has heightened risks for reporters covering sensitive issues. Media professionals have long called for stronger protections and the prosecution of those who attack the press.
As the world reflects on the loss of 122 journalists in 2024, the IFJ’s call for international action resonates deeply in regions like Africa, where the price of truth-telling can be life itself. Without robust mechanisms to safeguard journalists, the numbers will continue to rise, leaving more stories untold and silencing voices that hold power to account.
By Bakah Derick
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