“When life is the price of truth in Gaza”: An international symposium reveals the reality of “the most dangerous media environment in the world”

The symposium organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communication was held under the title: “Breaking Barriers: Confronting the Risks and Complexities of Media Coverage from Gaza and the West Bank.” It highlighted the reality of journalistic coverage in one of the most dangerous and complex work environments in the world.

The audience heard testimonies from Palestinian and Israeli journalists and officials concerned with the protection of journalists.

Wael Al-Dahdouh: “An unparalleled experience in the world”

In a recorded message broadcast at the opening of the symposium, veteran Palestinian journalist Wael Al Dahdouh, director of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau, addressed the unprecedented challenges faced by journalists in Gaza, which he described as “An experience like no other in the world” Noting that journalists in Gaza report news of a war that besieges their families, homes, and communities.

When the last war broke out, Al-Dahdouh says, Israel closed the Strip, prevented foreign journalists from entering, and cut off electricity, water, communications, and the Internet. In light of this complete isolation, millions were displaced under the weight of continuous bombing. Al-Dahdouh explained that there is only one option left for journalists: to continue working despite their knowledge that every step may cost them their lives.

He said that Palestinian journalists carried within themselves a deep sense of responsibility, realizing that… “If we do not do our duty – even if it costs us our lives – the world will not see what is happening to two million people.”

Al-Dahdouh highlighted the huge losses represented by the killing of 256 journalists, the destruction of countless families, and ongoing displacement. He urged the world not to assume that “genocide” has ended, calling for united action to hold perpetrators accountable to prevent future crimes occurring globally.

The Palestinian journalist concluded his speech with an appeal for a world based on peace, security, stability and freedom of the press.

Journalism for peace

Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming began her opening remarks by saying that the theme of the symposium covers many important topics, but above all it speaks about the courage and resilience of those who work to speak the truth even in the most difficult circumstances.

added: “Today we come together not only to monitor the risks faced by those working in the media, but to examine how informational storytelling and responsible journalism can contribute to the broader pursuit of peace.”

I then read UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message to the event in which he stressed that today’s dialogue is of tragic importance, noting that journalists in Gaza face the same risks and realities as the people they cover – including displacement, famine and death.

Since the horrific attacks on October 7, more than 260 media workers have been killed there, making this the deadliest conflict for journalists in decades.

He added: “The rules of war are clear: civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targets. Journalists must be able to do their essential work without interference, intimidation or harm. This includes the unacceptable embargo preventing international journalists from accessing Gaza.”

“250 media institutions destroyed.”

Nasser Abu Bakr, head of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate He also presented a recorded speech via video in which he condemned what he described as “the ugliest massacre in the history of humanity” against Palestinian journalists since October 7, 2023.

He also accused Israel of destroying more than 250 media institutions, which he said constituted the entire media infrastructure in Gaza. He said that the targeting extended to the families of journalists, as more than 650 of their relatives were killed. He described what Palestinian journalists were subjected to as “the first media war of genocide.”

The Secretary-General of the United Nations called for the formation of an investigation committee to look into crimes committed against journalists and to submit periodic reports on their safety.

A binational media voice calling for the protection of journalism

Mr. Hagai Matar, Executive Director of +972 Magazine, delivered a recorded video message in which he highlighted the unprecedented challenges faced by Palestinian and Israeli journalists during their field coverage.

He explained that +972 – as the only independent, bi-national media organization operating in Israel and Palestine – witnessed “the massive destruction in Gaza and the systematic targeting of journalists by Israeli forces.”

Matar emphasized that while Palestinian journalists face the brunt of the violence – killings, arrests, beatings, and confiscation of equipment – Israeli and international journalists have been banned from entering Gaza for two years, leaving Palestinian journalists alone to document the conflict, and at the same time, they have been delegitimized and accused of belonging to Hamas.

Most of Israel’s mainstream media ignored the devastation in Gaza, Matar said, prompting Channel +972 and its sister platform Local Call to combat misinformation and provide accurate reporting in English and Hebrew. Matar urged the international community to protect journalists who work in life-threatening conditions.

Efforts of the Foreign Press Association in Israel

Tanya Kramer, Deutsche Welle correspondent and current president of the Foreign Press Association in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, gave a recorded speech explaining the association’s efforts to ensure independent access for international media to Gaza.

Despite the fragile ceasefire, Kramer stated that Israel has prevented foreign journalists from independently entering Gaza for more than two years, “imposing unprecedented restrictions on international media and threatening to create a deadly environment for Palestinian journalists.”

The Foreign Press Association took legal action, filing two petitions with the Israeli Supreme Court, but the court repeatedly granted the government a deadline, leaving journalists “not knowing when or even if” they would be allowed to return.

Kramer emphasized that this reliance on indirect reports and witness accounts does not replace direct coverage. She praised the tremendous and courageous work carried out by Palestinian colleagues, who are covering the events despite the difficult circumstances, broken equipment, and the constant threat of targeting.

Killing media professionals erases “cultural memory” and weakens understanding of the Palestinian reality

As for Ibtisam Azem, the chief correspondent of Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed newspaper at the United Nations in New York, she said that the losses among Palestinian journalists erase accumulated knowledge, disrupt cultural and historical memory, and weaken global understanding of the Palestinian reality. Targeting journalists, she said, undermines international law, UN investigations and direct document preservation.

Aside from Gaza, Azem said Palestinian voices are often marginalized in mainstream Western media. She said researchers describe a pattern of bias, where Palestinian suffering is minimized, context is removed, and legal terms such as “occupation” or “genocide” are avoided.

Ibtisam Azem stressed that protecting Palestinian journalists means protecting journalism everywhere. Strong statements are not enough without implementation, she said, calling on the United Nations and member states to impose accountability, ensure access and protection, make the voices of the field heard, and adhere to consistent international standards.

She also stressed the need for support for press freedom to be linked to broader human rights protection, including academic freedom and civil society.

What is required from the international community?

Judy Ginsburg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, emphasized that despite existing resolutions and international humanitarian law, journalists in Gaza continue to face increasing risks, highlighting three urgent needs.

First, protection: Palestinian journalists must receive the same protection granted to civilians and media workers under international law, while bearing the consequences of violations.

Second, access: Israel’s refusal to allow independent international media into Gaza is unprecedented, and unrestricted access is essential to ensure accurate reporting and support for Palestinian journalists.

Third, accountability: With more than 200 journalists killed and evidence of deliberate targeting, independent investigations are critical to ending impunity and preventing further abuses.

An invitation to hold an international conference on Palestinian journalists

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, began his speech by thanking the United Nations Department of Global Communications for its efforts in raising awareness and training Palestinian journalists.

He condemned the Israeli attacks on Palestinian media professionals, noting that the attacks are increasing because “Israel’s main enemy is the truth.” He highlighted the cases of Sherine Abu Aqla and Yasser Murtaja, whose killings he said went unpunished, which confirms the absence of accountability.

The Palestinian ambassador presented a proposal in which he called for the formation of a committee of internationally distinguished journalists to organize a major international conference at the United Nations. This conference would honor their fellow Palestinians, raise the level of discussion about the atrocities committed against them to the highest level, and ensure that the fate of Palestinian journalists is not seen as a “non-issue”, but rather as a defining moment in the journey of global journalism.

For those who missed the live broadcast of the webinar, you can watch it on United Nations webcast siteWith immediate translation into Arabic available.