Standing for Press Freedom: An Invitation to the Doha Conference
October 7, 2025
2025 IPI-IMS World Press Freedom Hero Award Ceremony
October 11, 2025
Date & Venue: October 8-9, 2025 — Doha, Qatar
Event: “Conference on The Protection of Journalists in Armed Conflicts”
At this gathering, Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, newly appointed Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, delivered a powerful appeal for enhanced protection of journalists working in conflict zones. Speaking before media professionals, human rights advocates, and global observers, he insisted: “Protecting journalists is protection of the truth.”
Key Messages & Appeals
- Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani argued that the press should not be treated as a party in war, but rather as a critical conduit linking conflict zones with global audiences. He warned that without proper safeguards, “war crimes will remain unwritten.”
- He called on media organizations, human rights bodies, and governments to reinforce existing human rights frameworks and coordinate more closely to ensure the safety of journalists.
- Emphasizing that censorship can never erase truth, he added: “Silencing free speech will not stop the truth.”
- Among the speakers was Wael Dahdouh, Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, whose presence underscored the perils faced by those reporting amid active conflict. Dahdouh himself was wounded in an Israeli strike in late 2023.
Context & Significance
The conference took place against a backdrop of escalating dangers for media workers reporting from Gaza. Amid ongoing hostilities, many journalists have been killed, injured, or displaced, highlighting the urgency of calls for protection.
Sheikh Nasser’s speech is notable both as a declaration from a major network leader and as an advocacy moment tied to broader efforts to ensure that journalism — especially in war zones — is shielded from suppression. The event also reinforced the idea that safeguarding reporters is fundamental to preserving accountability, transparency, and human rights during conflicts.
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