– Morning Session
on 1 November (United Nations Office at Geneva) — Journalists, media experts, policymakers and scholars gathered for the opening of the thirtieth annual International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East today, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications, the Seminar takes place over one day, with sessions discussing the themes of “Freedom of the Press and Safety of Journalists in a Time of War”; and “Behind the Headlines of Gaza: Media Challenges and Perspectives”.
Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Communications, in an opening statement, remarked that this was the thirtieth meeting of the Seminar, and today peace in the Middle East seemed to have almost vanished in a sea of pain and suffering, but one should not give up hope. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, had sent a message, which she read.
In the midst of so much pain and agony in the Middle East, Mr. Gutteres said the meeting was being held under profoundly difficult circumstances. Last month marked one year since the horrific acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas in Israel — and the start of the second year of the ongoing atrocious onslaught in Gaza that was spreading to Lebanon and beyond. At the same time, the situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continued to deteriorate with Israeli military operations, construction of settlements, evictions of Palestinians, and intensification of settler attacks — progressively undermining any possibility of a two-State solution.
Yet, so many stories remained untold. Journalists in Gaza had been killed at a level unseen in any conflict in modern times. The ongoing ban preventing international journalists from Gaza suffocated the truth even further. At the same time, several journalists had also been killed or injured covering key stories impacting the occupied West Bank. This was unacceptable. The voices of journalists must be protected and press freedom must be safeguarded. The position of the United Nations was clear and unwavering: the war must stop, peace must advance, and the occupation must end. It was high time for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, with the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the effective delivery of humanitarian aid, and irreversible progress to a two-State solution — Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.
Chiekh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal and Chairman of the Permanent Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in a video statement, said that ensuring the safety of journalists was crucial, it was fundamental to press freedom, in particular in conflict zones such as Gaza. The situation in Gaza and the West Bank starkly contrasted with the United Nations’ principles. One year had passed since Palestinian militants attacked Israel, with a disproportionate response by Israel. Since then, press freedoms had been curtailed, with press rooms blocked and journalists’ access restricted. In the past 380 days, over 130 Palestinian journalists had been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. In the West Bank, 29 journalists had been detailed, many harassed and intimidated. Detained journalists had been ill-treated. Despite global outcry, none of the perpetrators, including the killers of journalists, had been brought to justice. It had become increasingly difficult for all journalists to operate. Despite this, they continued to report on the humanitarian crisis, often at great personal risk. Their courage was honoured, and their loss mourned. Despite Israeli repression, the world remained aware of the Palestinian issue, largely due to the efforts of journalists. Behind the headlines were courageous individuals risking their lives to document the suffering and displacement of the Palestinian People. Their work kept the world informed of the grim realities in Gaza. The UN remained deeply concerned for journalists’ safety, and demanded that they be allowed to work without hindrance.
Other challenges, such as disinformation and cyber-attacks continued. Human rights activists’ and journalists’ phones were hacked, adding another layer to an already dangerous profession. Mr. Niang urged all to reflect on how to overcome these challenges, and ensure the truth continue to be taught. The voices of journalists were crucial to keep the international community fully understanding the situation on the ground. Global legal frameworks protecting journalists in conflict zones must be strengthened. As physical dangers increased, digital advocacy had become essential.
The United Nations continued to work to ensure that truth was promoted, making resources available, ensuring that its digital outreach ensured that free and undistorted access to information from journalists on the ground were available to all, amidst the noise of conflicting narratives. Together, a more global empathic dialogue was ensured, shining a light in all parts of the world. He invited each to explore the resources available on United Nations platforms, and engage with that content, to convey a clear message of solidarity with the Palestinian people in their quest for freedom and independence. The voices of Palestinian journalists must be heard. In these challenging times, the commitment to the truth was more urgent than ever.
Tatyana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva, said this was time of great complexity, when the need for dialogue, cooperation and constructive understanding had never been greater. In times of conflict, when tensions were high and mistrust deepened, dialogue became not just a tool, but a lifeline for the pursuit of peace. Journalists played a critical role in enabling dialogue, raising global awareness and accountability, with their presence giving a voice to those affected and creating a historical record. She was heart-broken at the loss of so many courageous journalists who had been lost in the conflict. The seminar reflected the shared commitment to constructive dialogue and the search for peace. The United Nations Secretary-General’s call for de-escalation in the Middle East, with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, with the two-State solution, were the only path for both Palestinians and Israelis to achieve their aims.
Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, said that, when journalists and press were under fire, then every human right was under threat. Israel’s deliberate targeting of journalists and press were a threat to the right of all to know about its unlawful targeting of Palestine. Therefore, this year there was a focus on the protection of journalists in the context of the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, to show the world how they risked their lives in reporting the situation. He paid honour to the 130 of Palestinian journalists who had lost their lives in the Gaza Strip, reporting on the aggression. During the last 20 years, there had been far fewer deaths of journalists: the killing of the large number in the occupied territories was part of the occupying power’s efforts to hide the situation. Those who continued to report news and stories under extremely dangerous circumstances were saluted, and the commitment to protecting their rights under international law was reiterated.
Palestinian journalists, despite the threats to their lives, continued to impress all, showing courage and fearlessness, as had been shown in their receiving multiple international awards, recognising their work under horrific conditions, working to tell the stories of Palestinians in Gaza. As the meeting gathered, many journalists, men and women, young and veteran, were still in Gaza, reporting the facts, sharing the misery of innocents and civilians. The entire world heard them and saw them, and saw the entirety of Palestine through their camera lenses and powerful words. He then invited the room to give these persons a standing ovation, applauding their courage and commitment.
Israel had always imposed an information siege on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he continued, endangering access to information, imposing censorship, destroying media equipment and resources, with an intentional press policy in the service of its disinformation campaigns. This policy had become more aggressive, aiming to intimidate and have revenge. Accountability was a tool of deterrence, and its lack was key in Israeli activities against journalists. Israel took every measure to hide its war crimes and crimes against humanity, cutting Gaza off from the outside world, and ensuring voices supporting ceasefire and free Palestine were silenced. Israel persecuted journalists and ran campaigns to discredit them. Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip were the first to sound the alarm bell on starvation in Gaza. These heroes, particularly those who remained in the northern part of Gaza, which was under a high level of threat of genocide, had found their ways to send first images of destruction, mass forced displacement and detention, and of last hugs and last good-byes. They had done their duty: the international community must do theirs, and not disappoint them any longer. The genocide must stop: there must be an immediate ceasefire, and the international community keep the pressure high until every civilian was safe. It must not stop the call for Free Palestine until Palestine was indeed free, he concluded.
Ms. Fleming then said that, for more than three decades, this Seminar had offered a space, encouraging constructive dialogue on one of the world’s most deeply rooted conflicts, and today it was only getting worse. Israeli hostages were still held by Hamas, and their families were suffering. The magnitude of destruction and death was unimaginable. It was on the Department of Global Communications to keep the emphasis on the stories of all: those captured, those held hostage, those suffering. The unprecedented numbers of journalists killed in Gaza made it the most dangerous place on earth to be a journalist right now. There were still so many courageous journalists working there, despite what had happened to their own families and their struggle, continuing to get their stories out.
Media facilities were also under fire, and there had been large-scale destruction of press facilities in Gaza. Around 70 elements of press infrastructure, including transmission towers and training facilities, had been at least partially destroyed this year. International journalists had no unhindered access to Gaza, relying on local stringers to get their stories. She noted that across the United States and Europe, over this past year, editors of major news outlets had stifled coverage, creating a chilling effect over Gaza. United Nations coverage work had played a role in sharing events and stories, delivering eye-witness accounts, providing the ingredients of stories that the United Nations news services could distribute for free. Today’s Seminar provided an opportunity to shed light on two very pertinent themes, with a strong group of experts who could provide valuable insights on these issues.
The Seminar then held a session on the topic of Freedom of the Press and Safety of Journalists in a Time of War.
Ameera Harouda, freelance journalist and fixer from Gaza, began in Arabic, then, changing to English, said that, for the last 20 years, she worked as a procedure and coordinator for multi-national outlets. It was a miracle that she was present: she was a survivor of decades of horror. In times of war, journalists should serve as the essential eyes and ears of the world, delivering information that shaped the understanding of the events on the ground. Working in Gaza had become life-threatening. Since the beginning of the war, at least 126 Palestinian media workers had been killed, with many injured and arrested. They had been killed intentionally, and referred to as “collateral damage”.
There was no single place in Gaza today considered safe: Israel did not even hide the fact, listing journalists as terrorists and attempting to assassinate them, targeting them as they hid, and as they reported on the situation. The world mourned the loss of certain journalists more than others, and the question was why. Local journalists were not mourned, because of their affiliation. Journalists reporting on the ground were deeply connected with the society, ensuring that even as they were targeted and killed that they were reporting impartially. The killed journalists were added to the long list of those who fell in Gaza. The number of people killed in Gaza was unbelievable, including civilians. Sometimes areas were targeted simply because there were journalists there. There was no safe area or environment in Gaza for journalists: they were struggling to survive, and to keep their children and families. Ms. Harouda highlighted how she felt every time she left her children behind to report on the situation that this might be the last time that she saw them, and that her Press helmet would not protect her. The international community must ensure the protection of journalists and their right to report without fear. The freedom of the press must be defended. She stood today not only for Palestinian journalists, but for all those across the world who were trying to report the truth, urging the international community to protect their lives.
The international community had let down the Palestinian people, both journalists and civilians. The feeling was that the next war would be even worse, and that international law was not protecting Gaza. People in Gaza, journalists, civilians, women and children nevertheless still had hope, and wanted something real on the ground so that they could feel safe again. The foreign media must be allowed into Gaza to see the real situation. Gaza didn’t just need speeches, it needed something real on the ground.
Colleen Murrell, Professor of International and Broadcast Journalism, Dublin City University, said in the worst of wars there had always been people who explored avenues for peace. Nothing had come from a succession of Middle Eastern summits, and a Palestinian State was no closer today. International discourse constantly emphasised Israel’s right to exist — but where was Palestine’s right to exist, she asked. The latest conflict had resulted in almost 42,000 deaths. While there was no taking away from the horror of 7 October 2023, what was seen now in Gaza was not a proportionate response. Journalists should be safe, and their mission safeguarded. In this conflict they shone a light, ensuring that atrocities were reported to the world outside. Palestinian journalists had continued to display incredible bravery, reporting whilst knowing no safety, with no such thing as a front line or a safe area.
Al-Jazeera’s broadcasts had been shut down, and its employees targeted. Israel’s bombs and missiles had killed civilians, and it stood accused of targeting journalists, whilst keeping international journalists out, as it did not wish to allow unbiased third-party reporting. The work of many had been admired and rewarded in the West. Journalists and photographers had been taking photos and recording events that would bear testimony to the horrors that had been occurring. According to the Israeli press office, more than 4,000 journalists had travelled to Israel to report on the war, but they had not been given access to the Gaza Strip. She spoke of particular events where Israel had clearly targeted journalists, constituting a war crime and violations of international humanitarian law, and also highlighted how injured journalists were not given access to emergency care.
The serious mental effects of watching colleagues and family suffer on journalists could not be denied. To wear a flak jacket saying “Press” was no longer a way to stay safe. Israel must allow for the freedom of the press, and must allow international journalists in to cover the conflict. There had been many petitions to allow international media representatives access to the Gaza Strip, despite the risks. Israel did not want full transparency for its actions in Gaza, and did not want its facts disputed. Ms. Murrell called for access by journalists who provided honest, unbiased fact-based journalism, asking what Israel thought it had to hide, urging Israel to open the borders to access, showing what it had done. Journalists tried not to employ emotive language, in the belief that it undermined their reporting, however, the wider public was asking — what was this conflict, if not a genocide, if not ethnic cleansing, and why terms used in Bosnia were not used in this circumstance.
Jodie Ginsburg, Chief Executive Officer, Committee to Protect Journalists, said for more than a year, the Committee had painstakingly sought to verify every journalist death or detention, and every violation of the freedom of the press in Gaza, Israel and Lebanon. However, this could not list the terrible toll exerted upon journalists within the Gaza Strip, suffering from starvation, terror and pain. Palestinian journalists talked about everything, filmed everything: it was time for foreign correspondents to come and cover the war. The relentless siege on Gaza and the attack on Lebanon continued unimpeded, accompanied by a censorship regime. Reporters attempting to convey a fraction of what they were seeing were attacked by Israel’s efforts to discredit them. The world was experiencing the highest number of conflicts since the Second World War, with journalists impacted across the world. However, this was different. Because of its conduct in this war, Israel was now responsible for the deaths of more journalists in a twelve-month period at any point over the last 30 years. This was not an accident. The killing of journalists was a pattern, with no accountability. The smearing of journalists, the targeting of their location, was a pattern aimed at sowing doubt and confusion. Journalists were civilians: killing civilians, whether deliberately or indiscriminately, was a war crime. The impunity of the past decades had created an enabling environment for the Israel Defense Forces to target journalists and the media, accompanied by a failure to ensure accountability for these killings. Most of those held by Israel were held under administrative detention.
This had severely restricted reporting on the impacts of the war, leaving a vacuum which was easily filled by claims and counter-claims, disinformation, and smear tactics. The sources used to verify facts were dead, and this loss made it hard for information to be verified. It was clear that Israel was operating with little, if any, restraint, and it was up to the international community to ensure that Israel lived up to its obligations. It must not be allowed to continue to act with impunity. An honest assessment of compliance with humanitarian aid obligations must result in an end to international arms transfers. There must be international media access to Gaza. In Northern Gaza, which was being described as a situation of catastrophic ethnic-cleansing, rescue workers were unable to operate to save victims, and journalists faced death for their attempts to keep the situation in the international spotlight. Ms. Ginsburg concluded by saying that journalists were providing all the information that the international community required to act, and it must support their efforts to bear witness.
A video was then shown showing Israeli strikes causing the death and wounding of multiple journalists on 13 October2023. Following the video, Ms. Fleming called for a moment of silence for those who had died.
Guilherme Canela, Chief of Section, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), said without journalists telling the story, it was impossible to document either human rights protections or violations, and this was a cross-cutting issue for everything else. The freedom of information was the freedom which all others in the United Nations Charter meant to protect. The stories which had emerged from Palestinian journalists and other victims were just unbelievable. He could not even understand, he said, how this situation could be borne. Victims had said that it was important to continue events such as this one. In the many years he had worked in protecting journalists in various regions of the world, this was the first time that it was difficult to do anything in terms of support on the ground and operationalise these efforts. This was the first time he had experienced such levels of impotence in protecting the rights of journalists. Tomorrow was the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. A global campaign was going to be launched, with the motto “There is a story behind the story”, as the support of citizens all over the world was important to note that behind every journalist, there was another story.
Authoritarians did not like independent journalists: the first thing they did was to censor journalists and reduce the independence of the judiciary. Journalists and the judiciary brought light to the darkness where human rights violations spread. If efforts were not made to end the zone of silence, accountability would be undermine even more: all needed to stand up and ensure that the stories behind the stories must not be forgotten.
The floor then opened for discussion from the audience. Taking the floor, speakers raised such issues as how to improve the access of foreign journalists into Gaza so that there could be factual, on the ground reporting, to which Ms. Fleming responded that this was a question for the Government of Israel, noting that all agreed that it was vital for journalists to be allowed to access Gaza. Ms. Ginsburg added that even Israel journalists could not get in, despite lobbying. One of the important things to note was that the Government was using an argument that it was worried about the safety of journalists. In terms of the unprecedented nature of this war, this total lockout was also unprecedented. Mr. Mansour responded, saying the issue was not just that journalists could not go cover the conflict, even before the war, the authorities did not allow journalists to enter Gaza and see the situation for themselves, or to participate in seminars such as this one, which should actually have been held on Palestinian soil. The policies and practices of the occupying Power had continued since before this conflict.
Another speaker said that what was needed was action, asking what more would it take for the United Nations to sanction Israel for its war crimes. A further speaker asked how did the United Nations explain its self-censorship on Congo. Ms. Fleming responded saying that the United Nations was open to criticism and worked to expose what was happening in the ground in every conflict, although sometimes it did not do what it tried to do, pointing out the issue of Sudan, which had been referred to as “the forgotten war”. The United Nations Department of Global Communications aimed to be in the areas where foreign correspondents were missing.
Another question was raised on the lack of accountability for the Israel attacks on journalists, and what could be done to ensure later accountability and recurrence of such attacks. Ms. Ginsburg responded, saying that a number of things could be done, including the Israel Defense Forces providing its rules of engagement, including its view of journalists in conflict zones. Another was credible investigations, and an independent international task force working to ensure accountability. It was important to stress the importance of evidence, and if there were no journalists there to collect evidence, then justice was extraordinarily difficult to achieve. Mr. Camela also spoke of a recent UNESCO report within this context, and highlighted the extent of global impunity on killings of journalists, noting it was the responsibility of States to address these levels of impunity. Ms. Marouda noted that Palestinian journalists on the ground had a lot of evidence as to how their colleagues had been targeted.