Mobile journalism in Gaza – UNESCO enhances the ability of media professionals to continue field coverage

Dozens of journalists and graduates participated in practical training in the Gaza Strip, which included news photography, production of television reports, journalistic writing, video editing, voice-over, and podcast production using mobile phones, within the framework of a project. “Gaza Digital Voices – Empowering Youth for Global Media” Which is implemented by the Palestinian Press House Foundation with funding from UNESCO.

The program comes at a time when Palestinian journalists continue to work in an environment described as one of the most dangerous media environments in the world, while the entry of most international media outlets into the Gaza Strip remains restricted, making coverage largely dependent on local journalists and light digital tools.

Journalist Mohamed Salha, one of the training participants, said: “Today, mobile phone journalism has become one of the most important tools for journalistic work, as it provides speed in transmitting events and ease of use compared to traditional equipment. During the training, we learned shooting angles, types of shots, and camera movements, which was clearly reflected in our practical level.”

Nada Hamad, a multimedia graduate participating in the program, believes that the training changed the way she approaches journalistic work. She said: “I began to look at events more comprehensively, and I realized that any event could be turned into a journalistic story worthy of being reported to the world, especially in Gaza, where there are many details that do not receive sufficient attention.”

Hikmat Yousef, director of the Palestinian Press House Foundation in the Gaza Strip, said that the initiative came in response to the conditions in which journalists work. He added: “In light of the lack of equipment and professional safety measures, in addition to the limited training centers, we were able to obtain funding from UNESCO to develop the skills of graduates of media colleges and journalists in the field of mobile journalism and modern digital journalism, which will help convey the image of Gaza to the world.”

UNESCO says that supporting freedom of expression and developing the capabilities of media workers is part of its mandate to enhance access to information and build more resilient media institutions, including in conflict and crisis areas.

Those in charge of the program believe that the growing reliance on mobile journalism does not merely represent an alternative to traditional equipment, but rather reflects a shift in the methods of news gathering and production, allowing journalists to continue field coverage despite the security and logistical restrictions that Gaza is witnessing.