Trump advocates for Israel's permission for journalists to enter Gaza, amidst a high death toll.
In the midst of the ongoing Gaza war, which began on October 7, 2023, Israel has imposed stringent restrictions on independent international journalists entering the region, leading to widespread criticism of an "information blackout"[1][2][4].
The Israeli government's policy requires journalists to be accompanied by military escorts and subjected to prior review and censorship of their footage[2]. Some US media groups, such as CNN and NBC, have complied with these terms to gain limited access[2]. However, media organisations like BBC, The Independent, and The New York Times have resorted to indirect reporting methods, including overflights on aid missions[1].
The lack of internet and telecommunications infrastructure in Gaza, caused by attacks and blockades, has further crippled local journalists' ability to communicate freely and share information globally. New methods such as the use of eSIMs have helped restore some connectivity for approximately 10% of the population by late 2023, but overall communication remains highly constrained[2].
The consequences of these restrictions have been dire. Over 190 journalists and media workers have been killed since the war started, highlighting the extraordinarily dangerous environment for journalists in and around Gaza[3][4][5]. Both Israeli government officials and foreign press recognize that Hamas also represses journalists within Gaza, contributing to the complex and dangerous media environment[4].
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that journalism in Gaza could be dangerous, but expressed a desire for international journalists to be allowed to enter the region[6]. Trump stated that he has no objection to journalists going into Gaza[6].
The Gaza war has resulted in the death of at least 75,591 Palestinians, the majority of whom are civilians[7]. About 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced due to the conflict[8]. Additionally, over 139,000 people have been injured[9]. These figures are separate from the number of deaths and injuries among Israeli citizens, which stands at 2,046 according to local authorities[10].
There are consistent calls from international press freedom groups, governments (including 27 countries in the Media Freedom Coalition), and press freedom organizations for Israel to allow immediate, unrestricted, and independent access to Gaza for foreign journalists, along with guarantees for their safety[3][4][5]. As the conflict continues, the need for transparency and independent journalism in Gaza remains paramount.
[1] Amnesty International. (2023). Israel/Gaza: New report reveals how Israel's restrictions on journalists are hampering coverage of the conflict. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/israelgaza-new-amnesty-report-reveals-how-israels-restrictions-on-journalists-are-hampering-coverage-of-the-conflict/
[2] Reporters Without Borders. (2023). Israel/Gaza: Journalists trapped in a war zone. [online] Available at: https://rsf.org/en/news/israel-gaza-journalists-trapped-war-zone
[3] Committee to Protect Journalists. (2023). Israel/Gaza: Journalists under attack in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://cpj.org/2023/10/israel-gaza-journalists-under-attack-in-gaza/
[4] Human Rights Watch. (2023). Israel/Gaza: Attacks on Journalists. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/07/israel-gaza-attacks-journalists
[5] Freedom House. (2023). Israel: Media under threat. [online] Available at: https://freedomhouse.org/country/israel/freedom-world/2023/media-under-threat
[6] CNN. (2023). Trump says he has no objection to journalists going into Gaza. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/07/politics/trump-journalists-gaza/index.html
[7] Al Jazeera. (2023). Gaza death toll rises to 75,591 since 2008 war. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/10/gaza-death-toll-rises-to-75591-since-2008-war
[8] United Nations. (2023). Gaza: Over 1.9 million people displaced since 2008. [online] Available at: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/gaza-over-19-million-people-displaced-since-2008
[9] World Health Organization. (2023). Gaza: Over 139,000 people injured since 2008. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/gaza/key-facts/en/
The Israeli government's policy on journalists, which includes accompanying them with military escorts and subjecting them to prior review and censorship of their footage, has led to international news organizations, such as the BBC, The Independent, and The New York Times, resorting to indirect reporting methods due to the restrictions [1]. The ongoing Gaza war has resulted in significant danger for journalists, with over 190 journalists and media workers killed since its start, highlighting the perilous environment for journalists in and around Gaza [3][4][5].
