At a forum held at UN Headquarters, the challenges of reporting from the Occupied Palestinian Territory were discussed, emphasizing the critical role of journalism amid conflict. Melissa Fleming, head of the UN Department of Global Communications, highlighted that reporting in Gaza and the West Bank has become both a battleground and a lifeline, underscoring the urgency of protecting journalists.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that journalists in Gaza face the same dangers as the population, including displacement, famine, and death. He condemned the ban preventing international journalists from accessing Gaza, stressing that the rules of war require journalists to perform their work without interference or harm.
Journalists continued to report under extreme conditions following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, despite the siege cutting off water, electricity, communications, and internet. Wael Al-Dahdouh of Al Jazeera described the responsibility felt by journalists to document the situation and ensure the world witnessed the suffering of Gaza’s population.
Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine, praised Palestinian journalists’ courage and called for international pressure on Israel to allow foreign media access. He emphasized that Gaza has become one of the most documented conflicts in history due to local journalists’ efforts.
Jodie Ginsberg of the Committee to Protect Journalists stressed the importance of protection, independent access, and accountability, noting that international access supports Palestinian journalists rather than diminishing their role.
Nasser Abu Bakr, Chairman of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, reported that over 255 journalists were killed, more than 500 wounded, and over 200 arrested and tortured. Families of journalists were also targeted. He urged implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2222 to hold perpetrators accountable.
The UN reiterated that journalists play a vital role in building informed global consensus necessary for a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians. The dialogue aimed to strengthen press freedom, ensure journalist safety, and contribute to a just and lasting peace in the region.
