Signed by Over 100 Journalists: International Petition to Break Gaza War Blackout
The call from international journalists is growing louder to open the Gaza Strip to media coverage, away from the “disinformation” imposed by the warring parties.
More than 100 journalists, photographers, and war correspondents have signed a petition demanding the “immediate and unmonitored entry of foreign press into the Gaza Strip.”
The petition has been endorsed by prominent journalists working for major global news outlets. It is part of the “Press Freedom” initiative launched by award-winning photographer André Liohn.
Notable signatories include:
- Alex Crawford, special correspondent for Sky News
- Broadcaster Mehdi Hasan
- Christiane Amanpour of CNN
- Clarissa Ward, chief international correspondent
- Don McCullin, renowned war photographer
They intend to defy the restrictions
These journalists have renewed their call on both Israel and Hamas to allow foreign media to enter Gaza and report independently — something they’ve been prevented from doing since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.
The petition states that if “warring parties” ignore this appeal, journalists will be supported in entering Gaza without permission “by any lawful means — independently, collectively, or in coordination with humanitarian or civil society actors.”
It continues: “There is an urgent need for independent, unrestricted access for foreign journalists — not only to document the unfolding atrocities but to ensure that the truth of this war is not dictated by those wielding the weapons and controlling the narrative.”
It adds: “Gaza is the most urgent case, but not the only one. It reflects a dangerous pattern of silencing journalists and restricting press freedom. If the democratic world truly intends to fight this erosion of liberty, it cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening in Gaza.”
The petition concludes: “Defending journalists’ access to Gaza is defending press freedom everywhere. Israel’s blockade of international journalists in Gaza must not be allowed to continue.”
What are international media sources in Gaza?
In this context, Sky News explained that, like many global media outlets, it has relied on Palestinian journalists, local correspondents, and humanitarian workers to report from inside Gaza.
Despite their work being described as “brave and essential,” the “Freedom of Coverage” initiative notes that nearly 200 journalists — mostly Palestinians — have been killed, making the Israel-Hamas war “the deadliest conflict for journalism ever recorded.”
Last month, Associated Press, AFP, BBC News, and Reuters released a joint statement saying that many journalists are also struggling to feed themselves and their families while reporting on behalf of their organizations in Gaza.
On July 23, the head of the World Health Organization declared that Gaza is suffering from a “man-made mass famine” due to Israel’s blockade of aid deliveries to the enclave.
In addition to the urgent demand for foreign journalists to be allowed entry into Gaza, the “Freedom to Report” petition also calls for the protected status of journalists under international law to be upheld and urges greater support from governments and press freedom organizations.
