Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The African Initiative for Journalism and Media (AfroMedia) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as systematic crimes by the Israeli occupation against journalists and civilians in Gaza, calling on the United Nations and the international community to take urgent and decisive action.
In a statement released on Tuesday, AfroMedia decried the escalating attacks on media professionals in the besieged enclave since October 7, 2023, warning that such actions represent “a flagrant violation of international laws and UN charters that guarantee protection for civilians and journalists during armed conflicts.”
Citing figures from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), AfroMedia revealed that over 240 journalists and media professionals have been killed in Gaza in recent months, with dozens more injured or arrested. “This makes Gaza the most dangerous place in the world to practice journalism in the 21st century,” the statement noted.
The group condemned the targeted killings of journalists such as Anas Al-Sharif, Hossam Shabat, Ismail Abu Hatab, and Yahya Sobeih, describing them as “a calculated attempt to silence truth, hide atrocities against civilians, and manipulate the global narrative.” AfroMedia insisted that such acts violate the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, constituting war crimes for which perpetrators must face immediate accountability.
AfroMedia further criticized the international community’s muted response, arguing that global silence only emboldens further violations. It urged the UN to:
Publicly condemn the assassination and targeting of journalists in Gaza.
Launch an urgent international investigation, including through the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Ensure independent media access to Gaza to prevent monopolization of the narrative.
Provide protective measures for journalists, including logistical support and safety equipment.
The statement emphasized that the loss of so many journalists is not only a profound human tragedy but also a devastating blow to press freedom, transparency, and the right to knowledge. “The battle in Gaza is being fought both on the ground and in the media narrative,” AfroMedia warned, stressing the urgent need to protect the “remaining free voices” in the region.
“Defending journalists means defending truth and justice,” the statement concluded. “Safeguarding their lives ensures that future generations will know what truly happened — without distortion or concealment.”
AfroMedia also called on all global media and human rights organizations to show solidarity and mount coordinated pressure to halt what it described as “the Israeli war machine’s campaign to erase truth from Gaza.”