Democracy and political stability alone cannot reduce journalist killings without press freedom: A mediation analysis

Journalism has become increasingly dangerous in recent years as anti-press violence has escalated globally, placing journalists in increased peril. The prevalence of journalist killings, the most severe form of physical violence against the press, demands further scholarly attention to address human rights violations and offer new insights for protective interventions. This study uses mediation analysis to examine how a country’s democracy level may indirectly reduce journalist killings through political stability and press freedom. Findings reveal that democracy alone ( β = 0.203, p = .017) is associated with a higher likelihood of journalist killings. However, democracy, through increased political stability and enhanced press freedom ( β = −0.170, p < .001), indirectly reduces killings. Similarly, increased democracy with enhanced press freedom alone ( β = −0.107, p < .001) significantly reduces killings. We emphasize the need for further research on impunity and civil society’s role in protecting journalists. This study addresses methodological and conceptual gaps in previous literature, advocating for press freedom as essential to safeguarding journalists.