The United Nations has raised alarm over increasing attacks on journalists worldwide, warning that the safety of media workers is deteriorating.
Speaking ahead of World Press Freedom Day, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said no country can currently guarantee a safe environment for journalists.
According to UN data, about 330 media workers are detained globally, alongside nearly 500 citizen journalists and bloggers.
Türk noted that laws on defamation, disinformation, cybercrime, and terrorism are increasingly being used to silence the press.
He warned that normalising attacks on journalists threatens democracy, peace, and development. “When attacks on the media are normalised, freedom itself begins to decay,” he said.
The UN also reported that at least 14 journalists have been killed since January 2026, with accountability achieved in only a fraction of such cases over the past two decades.
Conflict zones remain the most dangerous, with the war in Gaza described as a “death trap” for journalists. Nearly 300 journalists have reportedly been killed there since October 2023.
Türk highlighted risks faced by reporters in countries like Sudan and Mexico, where journalists covering conflict, corruption, or organised crime face violence, intimidation, and even threats to their families.
He also raised concerns over online harassment, particularly targeting women journalists, many of whom face abuse, smear campaigns, and threats of sexual violence.
In a separate message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said press freedom is under “unprecedented strain” due to economic pressures, emerging technologies, and deliberate manipulation.
Both officials called on governments to protect journalists, ensure accountability for attacks, and safeguard press freedom globally.
