FPU and NvJ stand with journalists in Gaza
Free Press Unlimited (FPU) and the Dutch Association of Journalists (NvJ) released a video in solidarity with journalists in Gaza. In the video, eight (former) journalists and the director of Free Press Unlimited make an appeal to the Israeli government on their duty to protect journalists.
The risk for journalists in Gaza is unprecedented. Wearing a helmet and a bullet-proof vest with the word ‘Press’ on it no longer guarantees protection, but rather makes you a target. Since 7 October 2023, at least 128 journalists were killed, the highest number ever documented.
Under international humanitarian law, journalists are civilians and should be treated as such by warring parties. The disrespect of the free press, and human rights in general, is of great concern to Free Press Unlimited and the NvJ, and we therefore consistently call on (world) leaders of all countries involved and on non-state actors to safeguard access to information, and ensure the safety and security of media workers on all sides. Because access to reliable information can save lives.
“Our colleagues in Gaza are dying (…). Journalists are not collateral damage.”
Participants in the video broadly represent the media sector, with Stephanie Vaessen (journalist for Al Jazeera), Mark Baanders (Powned), Jos van Noord (former Telegraaf journalist), Ruth Kronenburg (Director FPU), Tjeerd Royaards (cartoonist), Folkert Jensma (Chairman NvJ and freelance journalist), Sakina Elkayouhi (freelance journalist and columnist), Rowan Blijd (programme maker and vice chairman NvJ), and Hella Hueck (Editor in chief Elsevier Weekblad). “Our colleagues in Gaza are dying (…). Journalists are not collateral damage,” they state. “The buildings were targeted in which they worked. They were not granted protection.”
The video also draws attention to the fact that Israel keeps the borders closed for international journalists, making international reporting impossible. It is important to allow unhindered access for foreign media, so the world can bear witness to the reality on the ground. FPU and NvJ stress: an attack on the press is an attack on the global community’s right to information.
“Whatever happens,’ FPU director Ruth Kronenburg states, “people always deserve to know the facts, brought by journalists from Gaza. They have the right to report.” With this video, FPU and the NvJ call for the killings and targeting of journalists to end, because journalism is not a crime.
Video by Tinus Kramer
