GFMD condemns attacks on media in Gaza Strip

The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) has issued a statement in support of journalists and media organisations operating on the ground in Palestine and Israel. Amid the continuous air strikes on media outlets and the bans on foreign reporters entering the scene, it is vital that media professionals are allowed to continue providing the people of Palestine and Israel with reliable and unbiased information. As local journalists’ safety remains under threat, GFMD issued the following statement:

The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), a network of journalism support and media development organisations reaffirms its ongoing support to all journalists, newsrooms, and media organisations reporting from Palestine and Israel, including the Gaza strip. We express our grave concern for the safety and security of journalists, reporters, and media organisations while doing their job and call for a permanent end to all hostilities.

We call on all donors, journalism support, and media development institutions to continue supporting their partners in the region and to take steps to ensure their safety and security and, where necessary, recovery following the conflict.

GFMD condemns the 12 May and 15 May airstrikes by the Israel Defense Forces on the Al Jalaa and Al-Jawhara Tower buildings, which housed numerous international, regional and local media outlets in the Gaza strip. We support the call by Associated Press (AP) for an independent investigation into the destruction of the Al Jalaa building. 

Internationally agreed laws must be respected to safeguard civilians’ fundamental human rights, including the right to access information and freedom of opinion and expression. Media, journalists, and reporters must be able to safely bear witness and carry out their vital role as providers of news and information.

Related statements: 

• Al Jazeera Network: Al Jazeera condemns in the strongest term the Israeli governments’ destruction of its offices in Gaza – 15 May 2021
• Associated Press: Statement: AP ‘horrified’ by Israeli attack on its office – 15 May 2021
• International Press Institute: Offices of AP and Al Jazeera in Gaza destroyed in Israeli bombing – IPI condemns the attack on media organisations – 15 May 2021