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April 30, 2025 – Palestine/israel –
The Israel-Gaza conflict has escalated into one of the most dangerous situations for journalists in the world, with a surge in violence, censorship, and systematic suppression of the press. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, at least 176 journalists and media workers have been killed, the vast majority of them Palestinians reporting from Gaza. This toll represents one of the highest numbers of journalist deaths in a single conflict in modern history.
Beyond fatalities, journalists continue to face an environment filled with intimidation, obstruction, and targeting. Reports show that 84 journalists have been arrested in the course of the conflict, with 35 of them still behind bars as of late April 2025. Many of these arrests appear to be politically motivated or based on vague security charges. In addition, threats and attacks on press offices, equipment, and vehicles have become commonplace, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty for those reporting on the ground.
Media watchdogs have raised alarm over what they describe as a deliberate campaign to silence Palestinian journalists. Observers argue that targeting the press in Gaza has become a tactic to suppress narratives that diverge from official versions of the conflict. This has extended to surveillance, blacklisting, and the disruption of communication infrastructure, all of which restrict journalists’ ability to safely report from conflict zones.
In the broader international context, concerns about bias and censorship are also being voiced. A long-hidden internal review from a major UK broadcaster reportedly confirmed the outlet is not biased against Israel, challenging long-standing accusations used to discredit journalists. Meanwhile, critics say there is growing pressure in Western media spaces to frame coverage of the conflict in a way that avoids scrutiny of Israeli actions.
The crisis has reignited calls for stronger protections for journalists under international law. Advocates urge governments and global institutions to take concrete steps to ensure journalists can carry out their work safely and without interference, emphasizing that press freedom is not optional in times of war.
Reference –
https://www.mizanonline.ir/en/news/992/zionists%E2%80%99-campaign-to-suppress-journalists
Attacks, arrests, threats, censorship: The high risks of reporting the Israel-Gaza war
