Israel-Gaza conflict:: Journalists pay heavy price for doing their job

New Delhi: The increasing toll of journalists in Israel-Palestine conflict has been attracting worldwide attention, and with the US non-profit body Committee for Protection of Journalists (CPJ) coming out with the figure of 21 media persons losing life in the latest flareup since October 7, the issue has acquired grave proportions.

As of October 21, at least 22 journalists were among the more than 4,000 dead on both sides since the war began on October 7, the CPJ said in its latest report. There were Israeli journalists among these 22 killed . Others were 18 Palestinians, and one Lebanese journalist.

Besides, eight journalists were reported injured and three were missing or detained, according to CPJ said.

“This is a dramatic toll. Never in a recent conflict has the profession had to pay such a heavy price in such a short space of time., ”
UNESCO had said even before the latest figures were out. The UN body called upon regional and international actors to take immediate action to ensure that international law is respected.

“Journalists should never, under any circumstances, be targeted. And it is the responsibility of all actors to ensure that they can continue to exercise their profession safely and independently,”

It referred to the UN Security Council Resolution 2222/2015 that stipulates that journalists, media professionals and associated personnel covering conflict situations must be protected as civilians. The Resolution also recalls that media equipment, offices and studios are civilian and not military assets or properties and, as such, must not be the target of attacks or reprisals.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the only professional organisation representing journalists at the United Nations, has called on the Director General of UNESCO, the United Nations agency responsible for the protection and safety of journalists, to do everything possible to ensure that journalists in the region, both national and foreign, are able to carry out their mission of informing the public in complete safety.

The CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa programme coordinator Sherif Mansour told AP that more journalists have been killed in Gaza during the past two weeks than since 2001.

“CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” said Mansour. “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heartbreaking conflict. All parties must take steps to ensure their safety.” he said.

The latest deaths add to the 20 journalists believed to have been killed in the action of Israeli forces between 2000 and 2022, a CPJ report in May said. “No one has ever been charged or held responsible for these deaths.”

Even during peace time, journalists are facing great harassment and persecution for doing their job truthfully. Media is coming under great strain in various parts of the world whenever it takes a line not convenient for government of the day.

—-INDIA NEWS STREAM