As the world observes the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ (IDEI) on November 2-3; it is crucial to highlight the alarming increase in the targeting of journalists in various parts of the world. According to the 2022 UNESCO Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity, from 2006 to 2023, over 1,600 journalists have lost their lives worldwide. Latin America and the Caribbean have recorded the highest number of journalist murders during this period.
Among the most perilous violations are those committed by the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza, coinciding with ongoing airstrikes. The aggression has resulted in the tragic deaths of over 9,061 Palestinians since it began on October 7. In a distressing development, Israel has recently claimed the lives of 40 Palestinian journalists in Gaza. This ongoing aggression serves as a distressing example of targeting journalists with the intent of silencing them as witnesses and obstructing the dissemination of accurate information through audio and video.
Some journalists have lost their family members. For instance, Al Jazeera journalist Wael Al Dahdouh tragically lost two of his children and his wife. Additionally, 18 members of the family of a broadcast engineer working in the Al Jazeera office in Gaza, Muhammad Abu Al-Qumsan, fell victim to the Jabalia camp massacre perpetrated by the Israeli occupation. Israel must be held accountable for these heinous crimes against civilians and journalists in Gaza.
Journalists play a pivotal role in disseminating information during conflicts and post-conflict periods. However, they face numerous challenges and constraints, including political pressures, threats to their lives, and blackmail, which impede their ability to carry out their work effectively. The Israeli occupation and its supporters are engaged in a concerted effort to stifle Palestinian media and content on social media networks to the extent that Palestinian accounts are almost entirely restricted.
Encouraging field journalists to take necessary precautions, use professional safety equipment, and await the provision of such equipment by their media organisations is not enough. Addressing impunity for crimes against journalists is a fundamental prerequisite for safeguarding freedom of expression, access to information, and protection from attacks and movement restrictions.
One of the most pressing and intricate challenges of our times is the prevalence of double standards and selectivity when enforcing rules. It is crucial to raise awareness about the significant challenges faced by journalists and communicators in the exercise of their profession, as well as to sound the alarm about the escalating violence and repression they endure. Israel stands out as the only state enjoying full impunity, shielded by superpower support. This impunity perpetuates the loss of innocent lives and undermines the rule of law and judicial systems.
