Latest news with #freelancers
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
AFP journalists sound alarm about dire conditions faced by hungry colleagues in Gaza
A group of journalists at the Agence France-Presse news agency is sounding the alarm about conditions faced by colleagues working in Gaza, saying that 'without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die.' In a war-torn territory where Israel generally forbids outside journalists to enter, international news organizations like AFP, The Associated Press and Reuters rely on local teams to get out the news. They've been hampered by safety concerns and hunger in Gaza, where an estimated 59,000 people have died in the 21-month conflict, according to local health authorities. The Society of Journalists at AFP, an association of professionals at the news agency, detailed what their Gaza colleagues are facing. AFP's management said Tuesday that it shares concerns about the 'appalling' situation and is working to evacuate its freelancers and their families. 'For months, we have watched helplessly as their living conditions deteriorated dramatically,' AFP said in a statement. 'Their situation is now untenable, despite their exemplary courage, professional commitment, and resilience.' One of AFP's photographers, identified as Bashar, sent a message on social media over the weekend that 'I no longer have the strength to work for the media. My body is thin and I can't work anymore.' Bashar has been working for AFP since 2010. Since February, he's been living in the ruins of his home in Gaza City with his mother and other family members, and said one of his brothers had died of hunger, according to the journalists' group. The journalists receive a monthly salary from AFP, but exorbitant prices leave them unable to purchase much food. Another AFP worker, Ahlam, said that every time she leaves her shelter to cover an event or do an interview, 'I don't know if I'll come back alive.' Her biggest issue is the lack of food and water, she said. Since AFP was founded in 1944, the Society of Journalists said that 'we have lost journalists in conflicts, some have been injured, others taken prisoner. But none of us can ever remember seeing colleagues die of hunger.' 'We refuse to watch them die,' the society said. AFP has been working with one freelance writer, three photographers, and six freelance videographers in Gaza since its staff journalists left in 2024. Representatives for the AP and Reuters also expressed concern for their teams there, but would not say how many people are working for them. 'We are deeply concerned about our staff in Gaza and are doing everything in our power to support them,' said Lauren Easton, a spokeswoman for The Associated Press. 'We are very proud of the work our team continues to do under dire circumstances to keep the world informed about what is happening on the ground.' Reuters said that it is in daily contact with its freelance journalists, and that 'the extreme difficulty sourcing food is leading to their and all Gaza residents experiencing greater levels of hunger and illness.' The agency said it is providing extra money to help them. 'Should they with to leave the territory, we will provide any assistance to help get them out,' Reuters said. ___ David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at and Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
AFP journalists sound alarm about dire conditions faced by hungry colleagues in Gaza
A group of journalists at the Agence France-Presse news agency is sounding the alarm about conditions faced by colleagues working in Gaza, saying that 'without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die.' In a war-torn territory where Israel generally forbids outside journalists to enter, international news organizations like AFP, The Associated Press and Reuters rely on local teams to get out the news. They've been hampered by safety concerns and hunger in Gaza, where an estimated 59,000 people have died in the 21-month conflict, according to local health authorities. The Society of Journalists at AFP, an association of professionals at the news agency, detailed what their Gaza colleagues are facing. AFP's management said Tuesday that it shares concerns about the 'appalling' situation and is working to evacuate its freelancers and their families. 'For months, we have watched helplessly as their living conditions deteriorated dramatically,' AFP said in a statement. 'Their situation is now untenable, despite their exemplary courage, professional commitment, and resilience.' One of AFP's photographers, identified as Bashar, sent a message on social media over the weekend that 'I no longer have the strength to work for the media. My body is thin and I can't work anymore.' Bashar has been working for AFP since 2010. Since February, he's been living in the ruins of his home in Gaza City with his mother and other family members, and said one of his brothers had died of hunger, according to the journalists' group. The journalists receive a monthly salary from AFP, but exorbitant prices leave them unable to purchase much food. Another AFP worker, Ahlam, said that every time she leaves her shelter to cover an event or do an interview, 'I don't know if I'll come back alive.' Her biggest issue is the lack of food and water, she said. Since AFP was founded in 1944, the Society of Journalists said that 'we have lost journalists in conflicts, some have been injured, others taken prisoner. But none of us can ever remember seeing colleagues die of hunger.' 'We refuse to watch them die,' the society said. AFP has been working with one freelance writer, three photographers, and six freelance videographers in Gaza since its staff journalists left in 2024. Representatives for the AP and Reuters also expressed concern for their teams there, but would not say how many people are working for them. 'We are deeply concerned about our staff in Gaza and are doing everything in our power to support them,' said Lauren Easton, a spokeswoman for The Associated Press. 'We are very proud of the work our team continues to do under dire circumstances to keep the world informed about what is happening on the ground.' Reuters said that it is in daily contact with its freelance journalists, and that 'the extreme difficulty sourcing food is leading to their and all Gaza residents experiencing greater levels of hunger and illness.' The agency said it is providing extra money to help them. 'Should they with to leave the territory, we will provide any assistance to help get them out,' Reuters said. ___ David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at and
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
AFP journalists sound alarm about dire conditions faced by hungry colleagues in Gaza
A group of journalists at the Agence France-Presse news agency is sounding the alarm about conditions faced by colleagues working in Gaza, saying that 'without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die.' In a war-torn territory where Israel generally forbids outside journalists to enter, international news organizations like AFP, The Associated Press and Reuters rely on local teams to get out the news. They've been hampered by safety concerns and hunger in Gaza, where an estimated 59,000 people have died in the 21-month conflict, according to local health authorities. The Society of Journalists at AFP, an association of professionals at the news agency, detailed what their Gaza colleagues are facing. AFP's management said Tuesday that it shares concerns about the 'appalling' situation and is working to evacuate its freelancers and their families. 'For months, we have watched helplessly as their living conditions deteriorated dramatically,' AFP said in a statement. 'Their situation is now untenable, despite their exemplary courage, professional commitment, and resilience.' ADVERTISEMENT One of AFP's photographers, identified as Bashar, sent a message on social media over the weekend that 'I no longer have the strength to work for the media. My body is thin and I can't work anymore.' Bashar has been working for AFP since 2010. Since February, he's been living in the ruins of his home in Gaza City with his mother and other family members, and said one of his brothers had died of hunger, according to the journalists' group. The journalists receive a monthly salary from AFP, but exorbitant prices leave them unable to purchase much food. Another AFP worker, Ahlam, said that every time she leaves her shelter to cover an event or do an interview, 'I don't know if I'll come back alive.' Her biggest issue is the lack of food and water, she said. Since AFP was founded in 1944, the Society of Journalists said that 'we have lost journalists in conflicts, some have been injured, others taken prisoner. But none of us can ever remember seeing colleagues die of hunger.' ADVERTISEMENT 'We refuse to watch them die,' the society said. AFP has been working with one freelance writer, three photographers, and six freelance videographers in Gaza since its staff journalists left in 2024. Representatives for the AP and Reuters also expressed concern for their teams there, but would not say how many people are working for them. 'We are deeply concerned about our staff in Gaza and are doing everything in our power to support them,' said Lauren Easton, a spokeswoman for The Associated Press. 'We are very proud of the work our team continues to do under dire circumstances to keep the world informed about what is happening on the ground.' Reuters said that it is in daily contact with its freelance journalists, and that 'the extreme difficulty sourcing food is leading to their and all Gaza residents experiencing greater levels of hunger and illness.' The agency said it is providing extra money to help them. 'Should they with to leave the territory, we will provide any assistance to help get them out,' Reuters said. ___ David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at and
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
AFP journalists sound alarm about dire conditions faced by hungry colleagues in Gaza
A group of journalists at the Agence France-Presse news agency is sounding the alarm about conditions faced by colleagues working in Gaza, saying that 'without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die.' In a war-torn territory where Israel generally forbids outside journalists to enter, international news organizations like AFP, The Associated Press and Reuters rely on local teams to get out the news. They've been hampered by safety concerns and hunger in Gaza, where an estimated 59,000 people have died in the 21-month conflict, according to local health authorities. The Society of Journalists at AFP, an association of professionals at the news agency, detailed what their Gaza colleagues are facing. AFP's management said Tuesday that it shares concerns about the 'appalling' situation and is working to evacuate its freelancers and their families. 'For months, we have watched helplessly as their living conditions deteriorated dramatically,' AFP said in a statement. 'Their situation is now untenable, despite their exemplary courage, professional commitment, and resilience.' One of AFP's photographers, identified as Bashar, sent a message on social media over the weekend that 'I no longer have the strength to work for the media. My body is thin and I can't work anymore.' Bashar has been working for AFP since 2010. Since February, he's been living in the ruins of his home in Gaza City with his mother and other family members, and said one of his brothers had died of hunger, according to the journalists' group. The journalists receive a monthly salary from AFP, but exorbitant prices leave them unable to purchase much food. Another AFP worker, Ahlam, said that every time she leaves her shelter to cover an event or do an interview, 'I don't know if I'll come back alive.' Her biggest issue is the lack of food and water, she said. Since AFP was founded in 1944, the Society of Journalists said that 'we have lost journalists in conflicts, some have been injured, others taken prisoner. But none of us can ever remember seeing colleagues die of hunger.' 'We refuse to watch them die,' the society said. AFP has been working with one freelance writer, three photographers, and six freelance videographers in Gaza since its staff journalists left in 2024. Representatives for the AP and Reuters also expressed concern for their teams there, but would not say how many people are working for them. 'We are deeply concerned about our staff in Gaza and are doing everything in our power to support them,' said Lauren Easton, a spokeswoman for The Associated Press. 'We are very proud of the work our team continues to do under dire circumstances to keep the world informed about what is happening on the ground.' Reuters said that it is in daily contact with its freelance journalists, and that 'the extreme difficulty sourcing food is leading to their and all Gaza residents experiencing greater levels of hunger and illness.' The agency said it is providing extra money to help them. 'Should they with to leave the territory, we will provide any assistance to help get them out,' Reuters said. ___ David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at and
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘Without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die': News agency staff warn journalists face starvation
Staff at an international news agency have warned that its reporters in Gaza are facing imminent death from starvation and exhaustion. The statement from AFP's Société des Journalistes marks the first time in the agency's 80-year history that a humanitarian alert has been issued on behalf of its own journalists. The warning from the staff union comes at a time when malnutrition and starvation are killing Palestinians faster than at any point in the 21-month war, according to local health officials. A total of 33 people, including 12 children, have died in the past 48 hours from malnutrition, according to the Gaza health ministry. AFP's Société des Journalistes (SDJ) said that since the withdrawal of AFP staff journalists from Gaza in 2024, the agency has relied on a team of freelancers – one text reporter, three photographers and six video journalists – to report from inside the besieged territory. READ MORE 'Along with a few others, they are now the only ones reporting what is happening in the Gaza Strip. The international press has been banned from entering this territory for almost two years,' the statement notes. 'We refuse to see them die.' It draws particular attention to Bashar, a 30-year-old photojournalist who has worked with AFP since 2010. 'On Saturday 19th July, he posted a message on Facebook: 'I no longer have the strength to work for the media. My body is thin and I can't work any more.'' It said Bashar lives with his family in the ruins of their home in Gaza City, moving between camps in search of safety. 'On Sunday morning, he reported that his eldest brother had 'fallen, because of hunger'.' Though these journalists receive monthly payments from AFP, it said the economic collapse inside Gaza has rendered salaries 'nearly useless'. 'Even if these journalists receive a monthly salary from AFP, there is nothing to buy, or else at totally exorbitant prices. The banking system has disappeared, and those who exchange money between online bank accounts and cash take a commission of almost 40 per cent.' Transport, it says, has become nearly impossible and extremely dangerous. 'AFP can no longer use its vehicle, let alone procure petrol to fuel it and transport its journalists for their reporting. In any case, travelling by car would make them a target for the Israeli air force. AFP reporters therefore travel on foot or by donkey cart.' Ahlam, another AFP journalist, continues to report from the south of Gaza, according to the statement. [ 'Famine is spreading and people are dying': UN urges Israel to allow fuel into Gaza Opens in new window ] 'And she wants to 'bear witness' for as long as possible. 'Every time I leave the tent to cover an event, do an interview or document something, I don't know if I'll come back alive.'' ''The biggest problem,' she confirms, 'is the lack of food and water.'' According to the SDJ, the situation for these journalists is deteriorating by the day. 'They are young and losing their strength. Most of them no longer have the physical capacity to travel around the enclave to do their job. Their heart-rending cries for help are now a daily occurrence. 'Over the last few days, we have learned from their brief messages that their lives are hanging by a thread and that the courage they have shown for months to bring news to the world will not be enough to pull them through. 'The idea that we could hear of their passing at any time is unbearable to us. On Sunday, Bashar wrote: 'For the first time, I feel defeated.' Later that day, he told one of us that he was grateful to him 'for explaining what we go through every day between death and hunger'. 'Ahlam is still standing. 'I'm trying to continue doing my job, to carry the voice of the people, to document the truth in the face of all the attempts to silence it. Here, resisting is not a choice – it's a necessity.'' The SDJ said the crisis was without precedent in the agency's history. 'Since AFP was founded in August 1944, some of our journalists were killed in conflict, others were wounded or made prisoner, but there is no record of us ever having had to watch our colleagues starving to death.' AFP management said it shared the SDJ's concerns. 'Since October 7th, Israel has blocked access to the Gaza Strip for all international journalists. In this context, the work of our Palestinian freelancers is crucial to informing the world,' it said in a statement. 'But their lives are in danger, so we urge the Israeli authorities to allow them to evacuate immediately along with their families.'
