Latest news with #mediafreedom
Al Jazeera
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera condemns Israeli incitement against Gaza reporter Anas al-Sharif
Al Jazeera Media Network has denounced the Israeli military for what it called a 'campaign of incitement' against its reporters in the Gaza Strip, including most notably Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Anas al-Sharif. In a statement on Friday, Al Jazeera said it 'strongly condemns and denounces these relentless efforts, which have consistently incited against its staff since the beginning of its coverage of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza'. 'The Network considers this incitement a dangerous attempt to justify the targeting of its journalists in the field.' The statement comes just days after Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee reshared a video on social media accusing al-Sharif of being a member of Hamas's military wing – a claim that has been forcefully rejected as false. Israel has routinely accused Palestinian journalists in Gaza of being members of Hamas since it launched its war on the enclave in October 2023 as part of what rights groups say is an effort to discredit their reporting on Israeli abuses. The Israeli military has killed more than 200 reporters and media workers since its bombardment began, including several Al Jazeera journalists and their relatives. On Thursday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was 'deeply alarmed' by Adraee's threats against al-Sharif and called on the international community to protect him. 'This is not the first time Al-Sharif has been targeted by the Israeli military, but the danger to his life is now acute,' CPJ's Regional Director Sara Qudah said in a statement. 'Israel has killed at least six Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza during this war. These latest unfounded accusations represent an effort to manufacture consent to kill Al-Sharif.' In its statement, Al Jazeera Media Network said it held the Israeli authorities 'fully responsible' for the safety of its staff. It also called on states and international organisations to ensure that all journalists in Gaza are protected. 'Israel's continued obstruction of international journalists from entering Gaza to report on the catastrophic situation has placed an even greater burden on Al Jazeera's journalists,' the network said. Those reporters, it added, 'have shouldered the responsibility of conveying the truth as they witness it firsthand, despite enduring extreme hardships, including starvation, violence, terror, and a complete lack of life's most basic necessities'.
News24
6 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Gaza's last witnesses are starving
The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF), the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) and the Campaign on Digital Ethics (CODE) on Civilians and Journalists in Gaza explains why it is raising its voice in support of journallists in Gaza, who are starved, targeted, or silenced. We, the undersigned, exist to protect free expression, champion media freedom and advance pathways to accountability. Today, we feel compelled to speak out about the catastrophic situation in Gaza—not only because of our solidarity with journalists there, but because the survival of free expression itself is at stake. In a rare and unprecedented appeal, Agence France-Presse, a respected international news agency, has issued an urgent warning that its remaining journalists in Gaza are too weak from starvation to work, and that without immediate intervention, they may die. Israel has, as a matter of policy, prohibited international media from freely entering Gaza since October 2023, so these local journalists are among the last reporters able to tell the world what is happening in Gaza. However horrific Hamas' attack of 7 October 2023, and however justified Israel might feel in retaliatory action against them, this situation is not simply the by-product of a war. It is the result of Israel's deliberate policies and actions: the ongoing bombardment of civilian areas, the targeted destruction of homes, hospitals and infrastructure, the denial of humanitarian aid, and the systematic infliction of starvation and famine. A campaign of collective punishment Journalists and their families—like so many other civilians—are being placed directly in harm's way, not as collateral damage but as part of a campaign of collective punishment. READ | OPINION: Globalising hate - The dangerous normalisation of antisemitism It may seem anomalous for South African organisations focused on media freedom and free expression to raise their voice on Gaza. But our mandate is grounded in universal principles. A free media cannot exist where journalists are starved, targeted, or silenced; nor can humanity flourish where civilians are collectively punished and cut off from the world's gaze. To remain silent in the face of such conditions would be to fail the very principles we were established to defend. 'We cannot ignore the voices in Gaza' South Africa's own history teaches us the power of global solidarity. During apartheid, South Africans relied on journalists and activists beyond our borders to keep the truth alive. Today, we cannot ignore the voices from Gaza—voices saying plainly: we are dying while trying to tell the world what is happening here. We therefore: Condemn these actions as grave violations of international law and fundamental human rights and urge global support for UN and other international mechanisms designed to secure accountability. Call on all governments to demand immediate protection for journalists and civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access. Urge international media and human-rights bodies to maintain relentless focus on Gaza and act swiftly to prevent further loss of life. Free expression does not stop at borders. When those who bear witness are silenced, the world grows darker for us all. We stand in solidarity with those in Gaza, and we echo AFP's urgent plea: the world must act now.
Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
The Take: Has media freedom in the US collapsed?
US television network CBS seemingly handed President Donald Trump two major victories this week after announcing that $16m would settle his lawsuit against 60 Minutes and cancelling the show of one of his fiercest critics, Stephen Colbert. But will this mark a turning point for media freedom in the United States? In this episode: Rusty Foster (@TodayinTabs), writer, Today in Tabs Episode credits: This episode was produced by Diana Ferrero, Sarí el-Khalili, Tracie Hunte and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Marya Khan and our guest host, Manuel Ràpalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take's executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
The Herald
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Sanef calls on Mbalula to back up claim of 'captured journalists shaping political agendas'
'Sanef is ready to meet Mbalula and his colleagues in the ANC to address any ethical concerns they may have,' executive director Reggy Moalusi said. 'At the same time, we challenge Mbalula to report any instance of suspected criminal conduct by journalists to the law enforcement agencies. As a former cabinet minister, we expect him to know which law enforcement door to knock on. 'If there is any rot, Sanef is willing to address it, but cannot do so if it has not been brought to our attention.' Moalusi said South African journalists have covered stories on all political parties fairly, without fear or favour for many years. The organisation's commitment to advocate for journalists to conduct themselves in an ethical, balanced and unbiased manner. 'Ethics and balanced reporting are the cornerstone of journalism. This is not to say that journalists are without flaws or beyond criticism.' He said Mbalula's conduct could potentially compromise media freedom and public trust in the media. 'Mbalula is not only a leader in the ANC but also in society, and his words are not without consequences. At a time when the media is working to challenge disinformation and misinformation, Mbalula's accusation — that the media is behind the spread of disinformation and misinformation — is not helpful.' TimesLIVE
Free Malaysia Today
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Media council to elect first office holders in next 6 months
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the media council's founding board will be the first team to hold the council's election. (Bernama pic) BUKIT MERTAJAM : The Malaysian media council will hold an election within the next six months to elect its first council members, says communications minister Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi said Putrajaya is looking at ways to quickly release government funding for the council to operate, though it is also free to seek its own funds. He said the priority was to have the council manage its affairs on its own, adding that he will call up the founding board members for an update within the next two weeks. 'An election needs to be held to elect the head of the board and the members of the council. 'The founding board members have been informed and will lead in this process,' he said on the sidelines of the Komuniti Madani event at Yayasan Aman in Penanti here today. The council is an independent body set up to uphold media freedom, enforce journalistic ethics, and handle public complaints about the press. Twelve individuals have been appointed as its founding board members, comprising representatives from media companies, associations, practitioners and academics. Separately, Fahmi said he would summon TikTok this week to explain the 'Personal Knockout Battle' ('PK Battle') challenge that has been trending on the social media platform. It involves two users competing in real time to receive virtual gifts from viewers, which are then converted into rewards in cash. Critics say the 'PK Battle' trend has turned into a form of digital gambling, with concerns mounting over children misusing money, sometimes even their parents' money, to buy these gifts in a bid to be popular. Fahmi said the trend of children being engrossed in such challenges online was worrying and was also the basis for the government imposing an age restriction of 13 to use social media. 'They are too young to understand the impact of such trends,' he said.
