Journalist death toll rises in Israel-Gaza war

Smoke billows in Gaza City following an Israeli strike on October 25, 2023. (Reuters/Yasser Qudih)

The Israel-Gaza conflict has taken a severe toll on journalists since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7 and Israel declared war on the militant Palestinian group, launching air strikes and ground raids on the blockaded Gaza Strip. The conflict has since widened to neighboring Lebanon.

As of October 26, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least 24 journalists were among more than 7,000 dead on both sides since the war began on October 7.

The list published here includes names based on information obtained from CPJ’s sources in the region and media reports. It is unclear whether all of the journalists were covering the conflict at the time of their deaths, but CPJ has included them in our count as we investigate their circumstances. The list is being updated on a regular basis.

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CPJ calls for steps to ensure safety of journalists covering Israel-Gaza conflict

See CPJ’s safety advice for journalists covering conflict and civil unrest

Journalists’ lawyers face retaliation

Journalist José Rubén Zamora talks with a lawyer in a courtroom during his trial on money laundering charges in Guatemala City, on May 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Santiago Billy)

Lawyers are an essential part of the fight for press freedom, defending journalists who are charged in retaliation for their work. But in many countries, lawyers for journalists are under threat too.

In China, Turkey, Egypt, Belarus, Iran, and beyond, lawyers representing journalists face harassment and even jail time.

The targeting of lawyers for the press has a ripple effect on media freedom, writes CPJ’s Katherine Jacobsen in a new feature exploring the issue.

“Inevitably, journalists unable to defend themselves against retaliatory charges are more likely to be jailed – leaving citizens less likely to be informed of matters of public interest,” says Jacobsen.

Journalist kidnappings rise in Haiti

At least six journalists have been kidnapped and released in Haiti over the past eight months as gangs have taken over much of the capital of Port-au-Prince,.

Since February, CPJ has documented the murder of one journalist, several reporters forced to flee their homes, and numerous other threats and attacks on the press.

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Emergency Support – Tips on personal protective equipment, training, insurance, and emergency grants

Journalists Attacked

Samuel Wazizi

KILLED

Cameroonian news anchor and camera operator Samuel Wazizi died in government custody on August 17, 2019.

Police officers arrested him on August 2, saying they were looking for Wazizi to “get a certain information for their boss, the commissioner.”

On August 7, he was transferred to military custody and disappeared. In June 2020, military authorities disclosed that Wazizi had died of “severe sepsis” 10 days after that transfer.

CPJ has repeatedly called for authorities to allow an independent probe into Wazizi’s death.

Learn more about Wazizi