Media workers demand end to killing of journalists in Gaza

By Hamza Kyeyune

KAMPALA, Uganda, (AA) - More than 800 journalists and media workers around the world have signed a petition demanding an immediate end to the killing of journalists in Gaza and the wider region.

“As members of the international journalism community, we call for an end to the killing of journalists and to any threats to media covering the Israeli bombardment in Gaza and Lebanon and the escalating violence in the region. We call for the protection of all of our colleagues by all parties,” said a statement signed by the media fraternity titled For Our Colleagues.

“We stand with all of our colleagues and condemn the killing of journalists. We call on the international community to uphold freedom of the press and to protect the lives and safety of members of the media. We demand an end to the impunity in the killing of journalists and we call for those found responsible to be held to account,” it said.

“Palestinian journalists reporting in Gaza are doing so amid carnage and destruction, exposing horrors that would otherwise remain invisible to the outside world. Journalists there have not only lost their homes and family members in the bombings but also face dire living conditions, with limited food, water, and electricity due to a complete siege. Meanwhile, restricted access to Gaza and communication blackouts have suppressed the flow of information,” said the statement.

From Istanbul to London to Kampala and beyond, masses are rallying against Israel’s widespread grave human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“The past eight weeks have been the deadliest for our colleagues since the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) began gathering data 30 years ago. As of Dec. 5, at least 63 journalists have been killed: 56 in Gaza, 4 in Israel and 3 in Lebanon. That’s an average of more than one journalist killed per day. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces arrested at least 19 journalists -- mostly during raids on their homes -- and harassed, assaulted and detained scores,” it said.

“This must stop. Journalism plays an essential role in documenting history and serving the public interest by exposing realities too often obscured by disinformation and misinformation. Our reporting can reveal the true costs of war.”