Overview
- The Press Emblem Campaign’s annual report tallies 161 journalists killed across 31 countries in 2025, making it the second-deadliest year this century, with about two-thirds dying while covering armed conflicts.
- Gaza accounted for at least 60 deaths, largely from Israeli strikes, and the PEC notes continuing restrictions on access for international media.
- Mexico recorded nine journalist murders linked mainly to organized crime, the highest toll in any non-war country according to the PEC and corroborating studies by IBERO.
- Peru counted three journalists killed this year, and reporter Mitzar Castillejos remains in critical condition after a Dec. 12 shooting, with advocates flagging delays in securing an ICU transfer to Lima.
- Chilean police arrested Olftan Domingo Rivas Ramos, known as “Pancho,” in Santiago over the January killing of Peruvian journalist Gastón Medina; authorities say he confessed involvement and awaits extradition.