The United Nations has raised alarm over increasing attacks on journalists worldwide, warning that the trend threatens press freedom and democratic accountability.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said ahead of World Press Freedom Day that journalism is becoming “an insecure and, at times, dangerous profession” in many parts of the world.

He noted that media workers are increasingly being targeted through detention, violence, legal harassment, and intimidation tactics such as defamation and cybercrime laws being used to silence critical reporting.

According to UN figures, about 330 media workers and around 500 citizen journalists and bloggers are currently detained globally.

Türk said the situation is particularly difficult in conflict zones, pointing to the killing and injury of journalists covering wars, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where he said nearly 300 journalists have been killed since October 2023, based on UN verification.

He also warned about rising threats outside traditional war zones, including surveillance, transnational repression, and online harassment—especially against women journalists, many of whom face abuse and threats.

The UN chief emphasised that when attacks on the media become normalised, “freedom itself begins to decay,” weakening peace, security, and development.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also echoed concerns, saying journalists are often among the first casualties in conflicts and that press freedom is under “unprecedented strain” due to political pressure, technology misuse, and economic challenges.

Both officials called on governments to protect journalists, ensure investigations into attacks, and hold perpetrators accountable, while urging tech companies to address online abuse and disinformation.