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IOL News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Record-breaking rise in Journalist deaths as Israel bombards Gaza
Uncovering the Truth: Journalists' struggles and death toll amid the Gaza conflict Image: Loay Ayyoub Saturday marked World Press Freedom Day—a reminder of the vital role journalists play in uncovering the truth and holding power to account amid the Israeli government's killing of reporters and the bombardment of Gaza. However, recent reports underscore a troubling reality as 2024 has been the deadliest year for journalists in history, with nearly 70% of those killed in Gaza, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In their March 1, 2025, report titled '2024 is the deadliest year for journalists in CPJ history; almost 70 per cent killed by Israel,' the CPJ detailed the staggering toll on media workers in Gaza. The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs' Costs of War project revealed that between October 7, 2023, and March 26, 2025, at least 232 journalists were killed in Gaza, averaging roughly 13 deaths per month. According to the CPJ, this violence surpasses historical conflicts, with Israel's actions during this period causing more journalist fatalities than the combined toll of the US Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam (including conflicts in Cambodia and Laos), the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, and the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan. The CPJ also said that the number of conflicts worldwide—political, criminal, or military—has doubled over the past five years. 'This escalation is reflected in the high number of journalist deaths in countries like Sudan, Pakistan, and Myanmar. Yet, the impact in Gaza remains particularly severe, with 85 journalists killed in 2024 alone, following 78 in 2023. 'These figures highlight an alarming trend: the increasing danger faced by reporters and media workers, which threatens the global flow of information. 'As one journalist, Abubaker Abed, recently recounted, journalism has become perilous in Gaza. After arriving in Ireland for medical treatment and studies, Abed shared his harrowing experiences,' read the CPJ report. Abubaker Abed's Testimony 'Israel has turned journalism into such a dangerous profession,' Abed explained.' 'They've been targeting journalists for more than 570 days, killing over 210 of us. I've survived Israeli airstrikes, and I've always feared for my life—sometimes reporting live without a press vest because it's too risky.' According to CPJ, Abed added that reporting in Gaza is unimaginable, suggesting that it's risking your life to document genocide. 'Journalism is not a crime, but Israel treats it as one. They want to silence us. It's barbaric and inhumane, as they are enemies of the truth because the truth doesn't serve their interests. 'International media organisations have failed to protect Palestinian journalists.' The Institute for Public Accuracy also highlighted the plight of journalists like Hossam Shabat. In a report titled 'Hossam Shabat's Last Article,' Sharif Abdel Kouddous recounted that in October, the Israeli military put Hossam and five other Palestinian journalists on a hit list. Hossam described feeling 'hunted,' calling for global awareness with the hashtag #ProtectTheJournalists. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Arab News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
On World Press Freedom Day, Pakistan honors journalists killed in Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday hailed journalists who lost their lives while reporting in conflict zones like Gaza, saying their dedication continues to inspire others. The statement came on the World Press Freedom Day on May 3 that aims to raise awareness about the importance of press freedom and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Israel's war on Gaza has killed 232 journalists – an average of 13 per month – making it the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded, according to a report by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs' Costs of War project issued on April 1. More journalists have been killed in Gaza than in both world wars, the Vietnam War, the wars in Yugoslavia and the United States war in Afghanistan combined. The 18-month Israeli war, which began after the Oct. 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas, has also killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, laying waste to almost all of Gaza. '[We] honor the sacrifices made by those who have lost their lives in pursuit of truth, especially reporting in conflict zones like Gaza and Palestine,' President Zardari said in his statement on the day. 'Their courage and dedication continue to inspire us.' The media is indispensable in promoting dialogue, highlighting issues of social, economic and environmental significance, uncovering corruption and advocating for the marginalized communities, according to the Pakistan president. Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the right to freedom of speech and a free press, subject to 'certain restrictions.' Pakistan ranks 152nd out of 180 countries on Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom index, and journalists in the country have long complained of increasing state pressure on traditional media. Social media platform X is officially banned, but accessible using VPNs, while YouTube and TikTok have faced bans in the past. 'We have taken a number of steps for the protection and welfare of journalists, but more needs to be done by providing them a safe, secure, and enabling environment,' Zardari said. 'A culture where journalists feel secure to perform their duties without fear and harassment is the need of the time. I urge the media to uphold the highest standards of journalism, accuracy, and professionalism.'
Al Jazeera
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Israel's war on Gaza deadliest conflict ever for journalists, says report
Israel's war on Gaza has killed 232 journalists – an average of 13 per week – making it the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded, according to a report by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs' Costs of War project. More journalists have been killed in Gaza than in both world wars, the Vietnam War, the wars in Yugoslavia and the United States war in Afghanistan combined, the report published on Tuesday found. 'It is, quite simply, the worst ever conflict for reporters,' said the Costs of War. The report said it was unclear how many Palestinian journalists in Gaza have been specifically targeted by Israeli attacks and 'how many were simply the victims, like tens of thousands of fellow civilians, of Israel's bombardment'. However, it cites the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as documenting 35 cases where Israel's military likely targeted and killed journalists because of their work by the end of 2024. Among them was Al Jazeera reporter Hamza Dahdouh, who was killed on January 7, 2024 when a missile struck the vehicle he was travelling in in southern Gaza. He was the fifth immediate family member of Wael Dahdouh, Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief, to be killed by Israeli attacks. A more recent case is Al Jazeera reporter Hossam Shabat, killed on March 24 when an Israeli strike hit his car. Israel's military accused Shabat of being a secret Hamas operative, a claim the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says Israel has repeatedly levied against Palestinian journalists without evidence to justify their killing or mistreatment. The attacks on journalists in Gaza, where nearly no foreign correspondents have been granted access, have intensified a trend where local reporters – often underpaid and underresourced – face the greatest risks, according to the Costs of War project. 'Across the globe, the economics of the industry, the violence of war, and coordinated censorship campaigns are turning more conflict zones into news graveyards, with Gaza being the most extreme example,' the report said.
