Dozens of leaders at news organizations worldwide have come together to show support for journalists reporting from Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Committee to Protect Journalists initiated a letter signed by prominent media outlets, including The Associated Press, The New York Times, and BBC, among others.
The letter, released on Thursday, highlights the dangers faced by journalists in the war zone, with over 89 media workers losing their lives, the majority of them Palestinians. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety and freedom of journalists to report without fear.
According to the CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, the solidarity gesture aims to demonstrate the international journalism community's unity with their Palestinian colleagues. The letter underscores that journalists are civilians and must be safeguarded as noncombatants under international law.
The document calls for accountability for any violations and stresses that attacks on journalists are attacks on truth itself. The signatories pledge to advocate for the protection of journalists in Gaza, emphasizing the critical role of press freedom.
While the letter mentions Israel only once, it refrains from delving into issues of access for journalists in Gaza. The focus remains on expressing solidarity and ensuring the safety of media personnel in conflict zones.
The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes more organizations to join the initiative, emphasizing the importance of standing together to protect press freedom and uphold the rights of journalists reporting from challenging environments.
