In a world shaped by a history of war, democracy took its shape. With democracy, comes truth bearers whose duty is to bring the truth, fight against oppression and document what the masses must see. But when the same truth bearers are attacked, oppressed and killed – the truth is easily manipulated while the martyred efforts of those that stood up in the front lines are wasted, forgotten and buried deep within imperialism, genocide and oppression.
According to a recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 129 journalists worldwide were killed in 2025 – a new record. The committee said that ever since they started recording data more than three decades ago, 2025 was the deadliest year for journalists worldwide.
Buried deep within the numbers is the undeniable fact that two-thirds of the 129 journalists that were killed came from the US-Israel’s genocide against Palestine.
Undeniably, the US-Israel genocide does not come out of the reason of territorial retrieval like the Israeli government covers it to be nor is the fact that two-thirds of the deaths from the CPJ’s record shall be ignored. Because when the truth bearers that take on the frontline are the very same people two fascist countries target to cover the actions they take to wipe out an entire population, the truth is manipulated and fascism is covered as favor.
When journalists are attacked worldwide, not only is the truth manipulated – people lose the primary source of information they have – especially those in areas most affected by war and oppression. So in reality – this war covered as territorial retrieval is not retrieval but a war against the people, the world, and the truth.
In reality, the US’ goal to help Israel is an outcome of their wanting to expand their territory and imperialized countries that they see as a threat which affects journalists as their duty is to write about the truth. We must gather and voice out as when journalists are killed, the truth and democracy is killed. True democracy and liberty is only attainable when imperialists and fascist states are stopped. As long as the truth is on the line, democracy is on the line.
Written by King Razon (Vis), Insight PH
King Razon (Vis), Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
