British Company Fulwell CEO Deletes LinkedIn Post Smearing Al Jazeera Journalist Anas al-Sharif Killed in Gaza

August 27, 2025 – Palestine – 

Fulwell Group CEO Leo Pearlman has deleted a controversial LinkedIn post in which he claimed that slain Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif was a “terrorist masquerading as a journalist.” The post drew immediate outrage from media professionals and human rights advocates, who condemned it as a dangerous smear against a reporter killed while covering Israel’s war in Gaza.

Pearlman removed the post after intense backlash, but criticism continued across social media, with many denouncing his remarks as irresponsible and dehumanising. Journalists and press freedom defenders warned that such rhetoric not only disrespects the memory of al-Sharif but also emboldens narratives that justify violence against the press.

Anas al-Sharif, one of Gaza’s most prominent Al Jazeera reporters, was killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month. His death followed repeated threats and public vilification, with Israeli officials accusing him and other Palestinian reporters of militant ties, a claim strongly rejected by Al Jazeera and press watchdogs. His coverage had been widely recognised for documenting the human toll of the war despite enormous personal risk.

The episode highlights broader concerns about the weaponisation of language against journalists, particularly in conflict zones. When public figures with significant platforms label reporters as combatants or terrorists, it undermines press legitimacy and, critics argue, contributes to a climate of impunity for their targeting.

Media watchdogs and advocacy groups continue to stress the importance of safeguarding journalists like al-Sharif, insisting that accountability is essential in defending press freedom amid escalating violence in Gaza.

References –

https://deadline.com/2025/08/fulwell-leo-pearlman-linkedin-al-jazeera-anas-al-sharif-1236498698/