According to a UNESCO research, attacks against journalists increase while global freedom of expression declines by 10%.

According to a UNESCO research, attacks on journalists have escalated while freedom of expression has drastically decreased globally.

Global freedom of speech fell by 10 percent between 2012 and 2024, the largest loss in decades, according to the report, “World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development 2022–2025.” UNESCO called the development concerning, cautioning that democratic principles around the world are being undermined by dwindling civic space and increasing threats to media professionals.

The report claims that self-censorship has significantly increased as a result of the pressure on journalists, rising by 63 percent during the same time period. Nowadays, a lot of journalists steer clear of covering delicate subjects out of concern for harassment, violence, or legal action.

According to the report, 186 journalists were killed in the last three years, underscoring the risks that media workers endure. Ninety-three journalists died in 2025 alone, most of them in conflict and war zones. Impunity for crimes against journalists is still a significant problem, according to UNESCO.

The risks for female journalists are also increasing. According to the report, there has been a 75% increase in online harassment and attacks against female journalists, including coordinated disinformation operations, threats, and abuse.

Governments have been encouraged by UNESCO to act quickly to buck these tendencies. The group demanded greater funding for competent, safe, and free journalism, more robust regulations for digital openness, and the encouragement of media literacy among the populace. According to the research, these actions are crucial to combating hate speech, disinformation, and the global erosion of free speech.