By: Silas Mwaudasheni Nande
Journalists play a crucial role in shaping society, holding governments, corporations, and individuals accountable for their actions. Their work often exposes corruption, human rights abuses, and other forms of injustice, providing a critical service to democracy and public interest. Yet, over recent years, the profession has become increasingly dangerous, with journalists being killed, imprisoned, or forcibly disappeared at alarming rates.
In regions where authoritarian regimes or powerful cartels rule, journalists are systematically targeted for their efforts to bring the truth to light. While the causes of these killings vary, the underlying motive is the same: silencing voices that threaten the power structures or criminal networks.
 Reasons Journalists Are Killed
Political Influence and State-Sponsored Violence
[i]In many countries, journalists are seen as threats to political elites. Investigations into corruption, election fraud, or human rights violations can lead to state-sponsored violence against reporters. Regimes wishing to maintain their grip on power may eliminate journalists to prevent the exposure of their oppressive tactics. This is particularly common in countries with weak rule of law and little to no press freedom.
Organized Crime and Cartels
Journalists who investigate drug trafficking, human trafficking, or other forms of organized crime are often targeted by cartels. In countries like Mexico, where drug cartels hold enormous power, the assassination of journalists who report on cartel operations is common. These criminal organizations view the press as a threat to their business and eliminate those who seek to expose them.
War and Conflict Zones
Journalists covering war zones or conflict areas are highly vulnerable. In the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, reporters have been kidnapped, bombed, or shot by both government forces and insurgent groups. In such regions, media workers are often caught in the crossfire, but they are also directly targeted when their work reveals war crimes or the suffering of civilian populations.
Exposing Corruption and Economic Crimes
Investigative journalists who uncover corruption in government contracts, misuse of public funds, or corporate wrongdoing frequently face retribution. Their work threatens the financial interests of powerful individuals, and as a result, many of them are silenced through violence.
Religious and Cultural Intolerance
In some societies, journalists who challenge religious, cultural, or societal norms are seen as agitators. Stories that tackle controversial issues, such as women’s rights, LGBT rights, or sectarian violence, have led to the targeting of reporters by extremist groups or intolerant communities.
Notable Journalists Who Have Been Killed or Are Missing
Middle East
Jamal Khashoggi (Saudi Arabia, 2018): A Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. His murder is widely believed to have been ordered by the Saudi government due to his criticism of the kingdom’s leadership.
 Marie Colvin (Syria, 2012): A veteran American journalist working for The Sunday Times, Colvin was killed in an artillery strike in Syria while covering the civil war. Her work exposed the brutal realities of the conflict.
Shireen Abu Akleh (Palestine, 2022): A prominent Palestinian-American journalist with Al Jazeera, Shireen was shot and killed while reporting on an Israeli military raid in the West Bank. Her death sparked international outrage, with many accusing Israeli forces of targeting her.
 Africa:
Norbert Zongo (Burkina Faso, 1998): A Burkinabé investigative journalist, Zongo was assassinated while investigating the murder of the driver of the president’s brother. His death triggered massive protests, calling for justice and press freedom.
Deyda Hydara (The Gambia, 2004): Co-founder and editor of *The Point* newspaper, Hydara was a vocal critic of then-President Yahya Jammeh. He was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen, a crime that remains unsolved.
Ahmed Hussein-Suale (Ghana, 2019): A Ghanaian journalist who exposed corruption in the country’s football association, Hussein-Suale was gunned down after his work led to the banning of key officials. His murder was linked to a public call by a lawmaker for retribution.
 Latin America:
Javier Valdez Cárdenas (Mexico, 2017): An award-winning Mexican journalist and founder of *RÃodoce*, Valdez covered drug trafficking and organized crime. He was shot dead in broad daylight, a killing widely attributed to his reporting on drug cartels.
Miroslava Breach (Mexico, 2017): Known for her fearless reporting on the connection between politics and organized crime, Breach was shot and killed outside her home. Her assassination is one of many cases in Mexico where journalists are killed for exposing cartel-related corruption.
Europe:
Daphne Caruana Galizia (Malta, 2017): A Maltese investigative journalist, Galizia was killed by a car bomb. She had been investigating corruption at the highest levels of government, including cases involving Malta’s ruling elite.
Anna Politkovskaya (Russia, 2006): Known for her critical coverage of the Russian government and the Chechen war, Politkovskaya was shot dead in her Moscow apartment building. Her murder is widely believed to have been orchestrated due to her work exposing human rights abuses.Â
The Need for Greater Protection
The rising danger for journalists is a global issue that requires urgent attention. Press freedom organizations, international bodies, and governments need to collaborate to create safer environments for journalists to work in. This includes stronger protections under international law, more robust mechanisms for prosecuting those responsible for targeting journalists, and better security training for those reporting in dangerous environments.
At the national level, countries must prioritize the protection of journalists as an essential component of democracy. Governments should enact laws that protect whistleblowers and investigative reporters while holding those who threaten them accountable. When journalists are silenced, society loses the ability to access the truth, leading to a breakdown in trust, accountability, and transparency.Â
Conclusion
Journalism is essential for the healthy functioning of democracies and the protection of human rights. However, the increasing threats against journalists must be addressed before the profession becomes too dangerous to pursue. It is the duty of global institutions and national governments to ensure that journalists can work without fear of violence or retribution. Only by doing so can we preserve the vital role that journalists play in society.
