ISLAMABAD – UNESCO raised serious concerns about state of global press freedom, warning that it is steadily declining while risks to journalists continue to grow. The latest report highlights increasing violence, rising self-censorship, and widespread threats faced by media workers, especially in conflict zones and online spaces.
Despite some progress in digital access and media initiatives, the overall trend points to a more dangerous and restrictive environment for journalism worldwide, it said.
The agency’s World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Report 2022–2025 shows that freedom of expression worldwide plunged by 10% since 2012, reaching levels not seen in decades and signaling a deepening global crisis. Even more alarming, self-censorship among journalists has surged by 63%, rising steadily at about 5% every year, as fear and pressure reshape how news is reported.
The dangers facing journalists have turned deadly. Between 2022 and 2025, 186 journalists were killed while covering wars and conflict zones, a shocking 67% increase compared to the previous reporting period. In a single year—2025 alone—93 journalists were killed, with 60 of those deaths occurring in active conflict zones.
Despite repeated global pledges to end impunity for crimes against journalists, justice remains rare. While there has been slight improvement, impunity rates falling from 95% in 2012 to 85% in 2024.
But threats extend far beyond physical violence. Journalists today face a multi-front assault: legal harassment, digital attacks, intimidation, and forced exile. Since 2018, more than 900 journalists across Latin America and the Caribbean have been forced to flee their countries for safety.
Environmental reporters have also come under growing threat, with UNESCO documenting 749 attacks between 2009 and 2023, many occurring in recent years as environmental issues become more politically sensitive.
Women journalists are facing particularly severe digital backlash. A joint study by the International Center for Journalists and UN Women found that 75% of women journalists and media workers experienced online violence in 2025, a rise from 73% in 2020.
Yet, amid this bleak landscape, the report does highlight some signs of progress. Between 2020 and 2025, 1.5 billion people gained access to social media and messaging platforms, expanding global access to information and public discourse.
Investigative journalism is also evolving, with cross-border collaborations increasing and fact-checking networks expanding across media organizations worldwide. At the same time, more countries are formally recognizing community media, strengthening local voices and information access.
UNESCO is calling for urgent global action. Its recommendations include stronger protection and investment in independent journalism, greater transparency in digital platforms, and expanded media literacy programs to help citizens critically assess information. The organization has also introduced global guidelines for digital platform governance, already influencing regulatory reforms in multiple regions.
Based on contributions from over 100 experts and extensive global data, the report “Journalism: Shaping a World at Peace”, delivers one clear message, the global information environment is under unprecedented strain, and the future of press freedom now hangs in the balance.
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