In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, media and journalism have become central battlegrounds, with journalists paying the ultimate price. The conflict has highlighted the dangers faced by journalists reporting from Gaza, where their lives are at risk every day. Tragic instances of journalists being killed in Israeli airstrikes have shocked the world, shedding light on the urgent need for their protection.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that between October 7 and December 6, a total of 63 journalists and media workers, predominantly Palestinians, lost their lives in and around the Gaza Strip. These casualties include high-profile figures such as Salman al-Bashir, Shima El-Gazzar, Muhammad Moin Ayyash, Bilal Jadallah, Mohammad Abu Hasira, Mohamed al-Jaja, Nazmi al-Nadim, Wael Dahdouh, and Issam Abdallah. The loss of these brave individuals is a tragedy for journalism and underscores the urgent need for action.
However, the battle over reporting this war extends beyond the physical safety of journalists. It also involves how the war is presented to the public. The choice of words, phrases, and images used in reporting can shape public opinion and influence perceptions of the conflict. Unfortunately, there have been instances of misleading rhetoric and biased coverage by both US and Israeli media, leading to the demonization of Palestinians.
A significant concern is the disparity in language used to describe Palestinian deaths compared to Israeli deaths. Palestinians are often said to have “died,” while Israelis are described as having been “killed.” This linguistic distinction implies passivity and removes accountability for Palestinian deaths. Furthermore, allegations questioning the accuracy of casualty numbers by Palestinian authorities, as voiced by President Biden, cast doubt on the severity of Palestinian suffering.
Media outlets’ framing of the “why,” “how,” and “what’s next” of the war also plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion. Nicholas Rabb, a scholar of disinformation and propaganda, has warned about misleading rhetoric and one-sided coverage by certain media outlets leading to the uncritical demonization of Palestinians.
The situation has worsened due to the spread of baseless fears, such as the right-wing media’s unfounded claims about a forthcoming “Global Day of Jihad” called by Hamas. Despite no credible evidence of an imminent threat on US soil, this fearmongering led to a tragic incident where a 71-year-old man attacked and killed a Palestinian American woman’s six-year-old son.
Ethical concerns have also been raised about Gaza-based photojournalists working with reputable media outlets such as Reuters, The Associated Press, CNN, and The New York Times. Questions have been raised about their presence in breached border areas during the conflict and whether it was coordinated with Hamas. While the accused agencies vehemently deny any prior knowledge or approval of the journalists’ actions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused them of being accomplices in crimes against humanity.
In response to the attacks on journalists and the portrayal of the war in the media, 750 journalists signed an open letter calling for the protection of journalists and advocating for the use of precise terms defined by international human rights organizations, such as “apartheid,” “ethnic cleansing,” and “genocide.”
The urgency of the moment cannot be overstated, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to unfold. It is imperative that journalists and journalism are protected, and that the full truth is told without fear or favor. The recognition of the importance of these principles in times of extreme crisis is crucial for upholding the integrity of journalism and ensuring the public’s access to accurate information.
