World News Day 2024: FPU calls for attention for the importance of reliable information
At a time when the numbers of autocratic leaders are increasing, disinformation is spreading rapidly and conflicts are evolving and re-emerging, Free Press Unlimited (FPU) sees that press freedom is under pressure worldwide. This Saturday, on World News Day 2024, FPU is calling for more attention to the importance of reliable information and the crucial watchdog position of journalists.
Only 1 in 7 people live in countries where they can freely and safely seek, receive or share information, and 128 countries have limited to no press freedom. This is while, in times of disinformation, autocratic regimes and ongoing conflicts, we need reliable information more than ever.
‘’Access to reliable information is a human right," says Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited. ‘’Especially in conflict situations, it is crucial that journalists can continue their work to ensure people have access to reliable information and independent news. To hold conflicting parties and those in power accountable for their actions, to know how and where the best humanitarian aid is provided or where it is safe(er)."
Direct attack on press freedom
For journalists, reporting in times of conflict and war is dangerous and hard. Free Press Unlimited sees a trend in which access to independent information is intentionally pressured in times of crisis. An example is the raid and forced closure of the Al Jazeera office in Ramallah by Israeli authorities on 22 September. The closure of Al Jazeera in Ramallah follows Israel's forced closure of Al Jazeera offices in East Jerusalem and Nazareth in May. The fact that Israel is now restricting Al Jazeera's journalistic activities in Palestinian territory is a worrying development and a direct attack on press freedom.
In addition, more than 115 journalists have been killed since 7 October 2024 in the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territories, Israel and Lebanon. For at least five of these journalists, there is evidence that they were targeted in a deliberate attack by Israeli authorities.
Independent information can be life-saving
Free Press Unlimited sees this as a concerning development for access to reliable information in both the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the region as a whole. Independent journalism enables the documentation of war crimes but can also be life-saving in times of crisis.
It is essential that the Netherlands and the international community call for prompt, independent, effective and thorough investigations into the killed journalists. In addition, Israel must be reminded of its responsibility to enable journalists to do their jobs safely.
Ruth Kronenburg: "Safety of journalists is in everyone's interest, because without journalists, there is no independent news. And no news is bad news."
