As a sign of protest against the killing of journalists in Gaza, more than 250 media outlets left their front pages blank and suspended broadcasts
More than 250 news agencies from more than 70 countries of the world left the front pages of newspapers and websites empty as part of an international campaign, and simultaneously suspended broadcasting as a sign of protest against the killing of journalists in the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the international organization Reporters Without Borders. (RSF), which, together with the global movement Avaaz, became a co-organizer of the campaign.
“The editors demand an end to impunity for Israel’s crimes against reporters in the Gaza Strip, an emergency evacuation of reporters seeking to leave the Strip, and the provision of independent access to the territory for the foreign press“, the message reads.
On September 1, the first columns of newspapers were printed in black. TV and radio channels went off air to broadcast the joint statement, and online media posted banners on their front pages. The campaign was launched against the backdrop of the deaths of 220 journalists in the Gaza Strip in less than 23 months.
“At the rate the Israeli army is killing journalists in Gaza, soon there will be no one left to keep you informed. This is not just a war on Gaza, it is a war on journalism. Journalists are targeted, killed and humiliated. Without them, who will warn us about hunger? Who will expose war crimes? Who will show us the genocides? said RSF Director General Thibaut Brutten.
In connection with the approach of the 80th UN General Assembly, the media called on the international community for “decisive action” and the UN Security Council to stop the crimes of Israeli forces against Palestinian journalists.
Numerous global media joined the campaign, including Mediapart (France), Al Jazeera (Qatar), The Independent (Great Britain), +972 Magazine and Local Call (Israel/Palestine), InfoLibre and RTVE (Spain), Forbidden Stories, L’Humanité (France), Frankfurter Rundschau, Der Freitag (Germany), The New Arab (Great Britain), Daraj (Lebanon) and others.
Let us remind you that on August 10, as a result of an Israeli attack near the hospital “Al-Shifa” five journalists were killed in Gaza City, including Al Jazeera correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Kreike, as well as cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Nufal and Moamen Aliwa.
On August 25, the Israeli army struck the “Nasser” hospital. in the city of Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip. At least 20 people died, including five journalists.
Palestinian health officials said the dead included Mohammed Salama of Al Jazeera, Hossam al Masri of Reuters, Moaz Abu Taha, who worked with Reuters, Mariam Abu Daka, a freelance journalist who has worked for the AP and other outlets since the start of the Gaza war, and Ahmed Abu Aziz. The Palestinian Syndicate of Journalists reported that since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023, more than 240 Palestinian journalists have been killed as a result of Israeli shelling in Gaza.
