OPEN LETTER ON JOURNALISTS IN GAZA - Karibu

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Release date: 1 March 2024

We, the undersigned, stand united with Palestinian journalists in their call for safety, protection, and the freedom to report. For nearly five months, journalists and media workers in Gaza – overwhelmingly, the sole source of on-the-ground reporting from within the Palestinian territory – have been working in unprecedented conditions: at least 89 have been killed in the war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more journalists than have ever been killed in a single country over an entire year.

These journalists – on whom the international news media and the international community rely for information about the situation inside Gaza – continue to report despite grave personal risk. They continue despite the loss of family, friends, and colleagues, the destruction of homes and offices, constant displacement, communications blackouts, and shortages of food and fuel.

Journalists are civilians and Israeli authorities must protect journalists as noncombatants according to international law. Those responsible for any violations of that longstanding protection should be held accountable. Attacks on journalists are also attacks on truth. We commit to championing the safety of journalists in Gaza, which is fundamental for the protection of press freedom everywhere.

Signatories

1. Kim Godwin, President, ABC NEWS
2. Phil Chetwynd, Global News Director, Agence France-Presse
3. Hossam Kanafani, Editor in Chief, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed
4. Shiro Nakamura, President, The Asahi Shimbun, Japan
5. Julie Pace, Executive Editor, Associated Press
6. Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive, Association for International Broadcasters
7. Deborah Turness, CEO, BBC News
8. Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide
9. Daoud Kuttab, Director General, Community Media Network, Jordan
10. Branko Brkic, Editor in Chief, Daily Maverick, South Africa
11. Alia Ibrahim, Co-founder / CEO, Daraj, Lebanon
12. Roula Khalaf, Editor, Financial Times
13. Katharine Viner, Editor in Chief, The Guardian
14. Aluf Benn, Editor in Chief, Haaretz
15. Geordie Grieg, Editor in Chief, The Independent
16. Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, Chairperson, Inquirer Group of Companies, The Philippines
17. Deirdre Veldon, Managing Director, former Deputy Editor, The Irish Times, Ireland
18. Rachel Corp, Chief Executive, ITN UK
19. Andrew Dagnell, Editor, ITV News UK
20. Terry Tang, Interim Executive Editor, Los Angeles Times