IFJ Urges UNESCO to Protect Journalists Amid Israel-Palestine Conflict, Demands De-escalation of Violence
Brussels, 13 October 2023.
The International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, has issued a heartfelt plea to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, to safeguard the lives of journalists amid the ongoing armed conflict between Hamas and Israel. This comes after weeks of relentless Israel-Palestine violence that has led to the loss of thousands of Palestinian and Israeli lives, including journalists and media workers.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, the IFJ has maintained an open line of communication with its Palestinian affiliate, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), which represents journalists in the Gaza Strip. They have also been in contact with Israeli journalists as they grapple with the grim reality of covering a war zone.
The IFJ, along with its global affiliates, is calling on UNESCO to step up its efforts in protecting journalists and to demand a de-escalation of the violence. They stress that the continuation of hostilities will only result in more civilian casualties, including journalists who are on the front lines of reporting the crisis.
A grave concern arises from the Israeli military’s recent directive on the night of October 13, 2023, which asked over one million Palestinians in the north of the Gaza Strip to move to the south for military operations. The IFJ fears the consequences of this move for civilians and journalists alike. Consequently, the IFJ has called on both warring parties to uphold international humanitarian law and adhere to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
In a show of solidarity, the IFJ, along with the International Trade Union Confederation and Uni-Global, representing over 220 million workers worldwide, are urging their members to stand with the workers affected by this devastating conflict.
Notably, the IFJ, the only professional organisation representing journalists at the United Nations since 1953, is urging UNESCO’s Director General, the United Nations agency responsible for the protection and safety of journalists, to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of journalists, both local and foreign, operating in the region. Presently, no foreign journalists have access to report from the Gaza Strip, making it imperative that the United Nations, especially UNESCO, step in to protect the rights and access of Palestinian journalists to inform the world about the situation in Gaza.
Furthermore, combating disinformation is a top priority for the IFJ. Their Global Ethics Charter for Journalists underscores the significance of providing accurate information, which they believe is a fundamental right of every citizen.
Lastly, the IFJ, in coordination with its PJS safety trainers in the field, has updated safety guidelines to reflect the unique challenges journalists face in the Gaza Strip. They’re also appealing to newsrooms and employers to prioritise the safety and well-being of their reporters in the field as they bravely work to bring the truth to the world.
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