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November 19, 2024 – Palestine/Israel –
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has raised serious alarm at recent Israeli actions portraying Palestinian journalists in Gaza as “terrorists.” Director‑General Thibaut Bruttin, speaking in Geneva, condemned this as a deliberate effort by Israeli defense forces to recast frontline reporters—many of whom wear press vests and are civilians—as legitimate military targets.
Bruttin described the trend as deeply troubling and unprecedented. He stressed that Gaza is essentially inaccessible to international media, meaning local journalists are “civilians at risk and journalists that might be targeted.” Labeling them terrorists makes it easier to justify lethal action and suppress independent coverage.
He further accused Israel of “outrageously lying,” marking a shift from previous denials of wrongdoing to open smearing of journalists. RSF believes a significant number of the more than 140 journalists killed in Gaza were deliberately targeted—a war crime—and voiced concern that this stigmatization is part of a tactic to control the narrative.
RSF called on the international community to apply genuine pressure for policy change. Bruttin warned that the approach not only undercuts essential reporting from Gaza but also endangers journalists who are struggling to report amid shortages of water, food, and electricity.
The label “terrorist” fundamentally undermines journalistic protection under international law. RSF highlighted that such false accusations have been used before—including in cases involving six Al Jazeera journalists—and warns that they pave the way for deliberate targeting.
By framing Gaza’s surviving media workers as threats, RSF says Israel is erecting a legal and moral barrier that could justify further attacks and obstruct independent accountability. The organization demands that these dangerous narratives be retracted to preserve press freedom and civilian safety in conflict zones.
Reference –
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579938/media
