Four international media outlets, including Reuters, The Associated Press, The New York Times, and CNN, are facing accusations of having prior knowledge of the October 7 attacks by Hamas on southern Israel. Pro-Israel media watchdog group HonestReporting published an article questioning the work of these outlets with Gaza-based freelance photojournalists, leading to their denial of any prior knowledge.
HonestReporting, which aims to “expose anti-Israel media bias,” accused the media outlets of breaching ethical boundaries by working with Gaza-based photojournalists who were present in the border area during the attacks. The organization also raised concerns about a potential coordination between the journalists and Hamas, questioning whether the news outlets approved of their presence in enemy territory.
In response, the Israeli government demanded explanations from Reuters, The Associated Press, The New York Times, and CNN. Reuters categorically denied having prior knowledge of the attack or embedding journalists with Hamas on October 7. They clarified that they acquired photographs from two Gaza-based freelance photographers who were at the border on the morning of the attack, with whom they did not have a prior relationship. Furthermore, Reuters emphasized that their staff journalists were not present at the locations referred to in the HonestReporting article.
The Associated Press also rejected the allegations, asserting that the first pictures they received from any freelancer were taken more than an hour after the attacks began. They clarified that no AP staff were at the border during the attacks and that they fulfill their role of gathering information on breaking news events worldwide, even when they cause mass casualties.
CNN, too, cut ties with one of the photographers involved, who was pictured alongside Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. HonestReporting clarified that they were not accusing Reuters of collusion but rather raised ethical concerns regarding the news outlets’ association with these freelancers and demanded answers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed grave concern over the suggestion that journalists working with international media had joined in covering the Hamas attacks. They deemed these journalists as accomplices in crimes against humanity, contrary to professional ethics. Former Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, went further and called for the four photojournalists to be added to a list of participants in the October 7 massacre to be “eliminated” by Israel’s security services.
The New York Times, which works with one of the accused photojournalists, Yousef Masoud, denied the accusations of advance knowledge of the attacks. They defended the role of freelance photojournalists in conflict areas, stating that their jobs often require rushing into danger to provide first-hand witness accounts and document important news.
The accusations and threats against freelancers have raised concerns about the safety and integrity of their work. The media outlets argue that unsupported accusations undermine the essential role of a free press in wartime and endanger those who provide crucial coverage.
The situation continues to unfold as international media outlets face scrutiny and demand to provide explanations for their association with Gaza-based photojournalists during the October 7 attacks. The allegations raise questions about journalistic ethics and the challenges faced by freelance journalists in conflict zones.
