Deadliest Year for Journalists: Palestinians Bear the Brunt of Global Media Killings

Seventy-two out of the 99 journalists who were killed globally in 2023 were Palestinians reporting on Israel's war on Gaza, making it the deadliest year for the media in almost ten years, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The CPJ's annual report, released on Thursday, stated that the number of journalist killings worldwide would have decreased if not for the deaths in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The organization also highlighted that more journalists were killed in the first three months of the war than in any single country over an entire year. Of the 77 journalists killed during the war, 72 were Palestinians, while three were Lebanese and two were Israelis. This means that nearly 75% of all journalists killed worldwide were Palestinians. Jodie Ginsberg, the president of the CPJ, emphasized the unprecedented threat posed to journalists in this war and highlighted the importance of Gazan journalists who risk their lives to bring the story to the world, as international journalists have limited access. The CPJ has accused Israeli forces of "persecution" against journalists and is investigating whether Israeli soldiers deliberately targeted a dozen journalists, which could potentially constitute a war crime. Ginsberg expressed disappointment in the lack of public solidarity with Palestinian journalists during the war, attributing it to the divisive nature of the conflict. She stressed the need to support journalists globally, as press freedom and journalists are under threat in various parts of the world. The CPJ report also revealed that the global death toll of journalists in 2023 was the highest since 2015, with a 44% increase compared to the previous year. The report highlighted reductions in journalist fatalities in Ukraine and Mexico but warned that Mexico, along with the Philippines and Somalia, remained some of the deadliest countries for the press. The CPJ report also noted that government surveillance and violence force many journalists to abandon their professions. In the Palestinian territories, journalists face risks even when they are not working, such as Israeli bombardment or arrest. The CPJ called for thorough investigations into the killings and for those responsible to be held accountable. The organization is documenting attacks against journalists in Gaza to potentially present as evidence to international bodies such as the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court.