Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for an end to attacks on media workers, warning that such violence erodes freedom and undermines peace and development. He commended the courage of journalists who document atrocities, expose corruption, and scrutinize power despite increasing dangers. Attacks such as bombings, abductions, and dismissals were cited. Since January 2026, 14 journalists have been killed, with accountability achieved in only about a tenth of killings over the past two decades. Journalists covering armed conflicts face the highest risk, according to the statement.
In the Gaza conflict, the UN has verified nearly 300 journalist deaths since October 2023, describing it as a "death trap" for media workers. Lebanon is reported as the deadliest country for journalists so far in 2026. Local reporters also experience extreme violence, brutality, and severe hardships, such as famine, exemplified by those reporting in Sudan.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted a sharp rise in journalists killed, often deliberately targeted in war zones. He highlighted the critical role of journalists who risk their lives and are sometimes the first casualties in conflicts, emphasizing their importance in reporting the truth in places where those in power fear scrutiny. The Secretary-General also noted that press freedom faces growing strain from economic pressures, technological developments, and manipulation efforts.
Mr. Türk emphasized that virtually no country is entirely safe for those speaking truth to power. He referenced Mexico, where reporters covering corruption and organized crime face severe threats to themselves and their families. He also expressed concern about increasing transnational repression and surveillance targeting media workers, referencing recent attacks on Iranian journalists abroad.
Journalists additionally face online harassment and abuse, as well as legal challenges related to defamation and disinformation laws, further complicating their work.