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August 22, 2025 – General –
A coalition of 27 countries, including the UK, Germany, Australia, and Ukraine, has urgently called on Israel to grant immediate, independent international media access to Gaza and to ensure journalists’ protection during the ongoing conflict. The appeal was issued through the Media Freedom Coalition, whose members underscored the vital role journalists play in documenting the mounting humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The statement expresses strong opposition to measures that restrict press freedom amid the conflict. It condemns violence against reporters and highlights alarming data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): at least 192 journalists have been killed in the region since the outbreak of war, making it the deadliest period for journalists globally since 1992.
Their demands go beyond guaranteeing access. The coalition also calls for investigations into attacks on media personnel, accountability for perpetrators under international law, and broader humanitarian measures—such as a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unobstructed aid delivery.
This diplomatic move follows increased international concern over Israel’s stringent control over journalist movement within Gaza. Since the war began, most international reporters have been confined to tightly supervised, military-escorted visits—severely limiting independent reporting.
The call by the Media Freedom Coalition marks a rare unified front. Countries from multiple continents have emphasized that access to conflict zones is not simply a journalistic prerogative, but a humanitarian and moral imperative—essential for transparency, accountability, and the documentation of human rights violations .
As diplomatic pressure mounts, the joint statement sends a clear message: press freedom should never be a casualty of conflict, and the world is watching to see if Israel will uphold obligations enabling journalists to report from Gaza without fear or restriction.
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