When Journalists Are Silenced, Truth Suffers
The Eroding Freedom of the Press: Rising Harassment, Gendered Violence, and the Critical Role of Journalists
In recent years, the environment for journalists — the eyes and ears of society — has deteriorated significantly, both globally and within the United States. Journalists play a vital role in holding power to account, informing communities, and exposing human rights abuses. Yet, their ability to report freely is increasingly constrained by harassment, threats, legal pressure, and violent attacks. These trends are deeply concerning for advocates of human rights, democratic accountability, and women’s rights.
According to an extensive UNESCO report, attacks against journalists and media workers have intensified dramatically in recent years, particularly in conflict zones and authoritarian contexts. Between 2019 and 2023, attacks on journalists reporting on critical issues such as the environment more than doubled compared to the previous five-year period, with 749 journalists targeted globally through murder, physical violence, detention, and legal attacks — a 42 % increase on the preceding period. Furthermore, 70 % of these environmental journalists reported being personally attacked, threatened, or pressured due to their work. 
Women journalists are disproportionately affected by harassment and violence. Recent data indicate that 75 % of women journalists have faced online violence tied to their work, with nearly one in four receiving physical or death threats, and about 14 % experiencing real-world violence directly linked to online abuse. This threat landscape is amplified by the misuse of AI tools like deepfakes and doxxing, making digital harassment spill into real-world harm.  Moreover, a global survey coordinated by UNESCO and UN Women found online violence against women journalists rising steeply in the digital age, with this intimidation increasingly extending beyond the screen into direct attacks. 
The dangers press freedom faces are also measured by the number of journalists killed or targeted with lethal force. As of September 2025, at least 75 journalists have been killed in the line of duty, with nearly 64 % of these deaths occurring in active conflict zones. UNESCO and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) emphasize that such killings not only silence individual voices but also erode society’s access to truthful reporting in times of war and crisis.  Facing these threats, impunity remains alarmingly high — an estimated 85 % of journalist killings worldwide go unresolved, creating a culture where perpetrators are rarely held accountable and attacks go unchecked. 
According to the latest press freedom data, journalists face the most severe violations in a handful of countries where reporting has become extremely dangerous. As of late 2025, China remains the world’s largest jailer of journalists with roughly 121 imprisoned media workers, followed by Russia (48) and Myanmar (47) — among the top countries where journalism is heavily repressed. In addition to detention, countries like Palestine (where nearly 220 journalists and media workers have been killed amid conflict), Mexico (one of the deadliest places outside war zones), Sudan (targeted killings and threats), Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Belarus rank among the hardest environments for journalists to work freely. These statistics reflect a global trend of shrinking press freedom and heightened danger for reporters in conflict zones and authoritarian contexts. 
In the United States context, even where legal protections exist for press freedom, political rhetoric and executive actions aimed at discrediting or intimidating journalists have sown additional fear and mistrust. Critics argue that such trends mirror authoritarian tactics that seek to suppress dissenting voices, undermine investigative reporting, and facilitate misinformation.  To protect journalists — especially women and marginalized reporters who face compounded risks — Freemuslim advocates for safe passage, protective mechanisms, and institutional safeguards that allow journalists to carry out their work without fear of retaliation, censorship, or violence. This does not imply unaccountable freedom but rather an environment where journalists can seek truth, challenge oppression, and represent the lived experiences of communities without undue restriction.
The erosion of press freedom — especially through gendered harassment and systemic limitations — is a profound human rights issue. As organizations committed to inclusion, peace, and coexistence, we must support stronger legal protections, address online violence platforms enable, and ensure that journalists can operate securely and independently. A vibrant, protected press is not just vital for democracy — it is essential for justice, human dignity, and global solidarity.
