More than 60 media and civil society organizations have signed an open letter urging Israel to give journalists independent access to Gaza.
The organizations—which include the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, BBC, CNN, The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Washington Post—highlight that no independent media access to Gaza has been permitted since the start of the war, increasing the pressure on domestic journalists, and creating a space for mis- and disinformation to flourish.
“More than 100 journalists have been killed since the start of the war and those who remain are working in conditions of extreme deprivation. The result is that information from Gaza is becoming harder and harder to obtain and that the reporting which does get through is subject to repeated questions over its veracity,” the organizations say in the letter, which was coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
The letter comes ahead of a planned visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States, where he is set to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and address the U.S. Congress on July 24.
CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg noted: “President Netanyahu describes Israel as a democracy. His actions with regard to the media tell a different story. International, Israeli, and Palestinian journalists from outside Gaza should be given independent access to Gaza so they can judge for themselves what is happening in this war—rather than being spoon-fed with a handful of organized tours by the Israeli military.”
Read the press release and letter.
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On Monday, CPJ announced the organization’s 2024 International Press Freedom Awards (IPFA) will be hosted by John Oliver, host of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” and chaired by Jessica E. Lessin, founder and CEO of The Information.
“I’m delighted to join the Committee to Protect Journalists on the biggest night for press freedom, to champion journalists during harrowing times for democracy, as they are threatened or taken for granted,” said Oliver.
Now in its 34th year, CPJ’s annual IPFA and benefit dinner honors courageous journalists from around the world. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, in New York City.
“Scoops, analysis, and broader reporting that puts the audience first is impossible without journalists who can report freely and safely. I’m thrilled to join forces with the Committee to Protect Journalists in honoring journalists and raising money for the cause,” said Lessin.
CPJ will celebrate four extraordinary journalists at its 2024 IPFA. In addition, the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award is presented annually by CPJ’s board of directors in recognition of extraordinary and sustained commitment to press freedom. Awardees will be announced in the coming months.
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Join us on Tuesday, July 30 for a virtual webinar, “Protecting mental health in the face of online and offline attacks,” part of our U.S. Election Safety Summer! Designed to equip journalists with safety tools for journalists to cover the U.S. elections, the series is organized by the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Women’s Media Foundation and PEN America.