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Twenty-five members of the Media Freedom Coalition called for the protection of journalists and media workers across the Middle East, warning that regional escalation has placed their safety and access to independent information under serious threat.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the coalition said journalists play an essential role during armed conflicts by providing accurate and timely information to affected communities and the international public.
“The safety of journalists and media workers, and access to information are under serious threat,” the statement said.
The coalition said factual reporting can save lives and livelihoods, while helping the world understand events unfolding in conflict areas.
The signatories expressed concern over what they called an unacceptable rise in journalist deaths, arrests and detentions across the region.
They said many journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza and Lebanon during hostilities since Oct. 7, 2023.
“We strongly condemn all forms of violence directed against journalists and media workers, including media infrastructure, press facilities, and clearly marked media vehicles,” the statement said.
The coalition said the reported incidents raised serious concerns about the protection of media personnel under international humanitarian law and the erosion of press freedom and freedom of expression during conflicts.
The statement said restrictions on journalists’ access to conflict zones had increased across the region.
It accused the Israeli government of preventing international journalists from independently entering Gaza for more than two years, limiting their ability to report on the realities of the conflict.
The coalition also accused Hamas of restricting journalists in Gaza from reporting freely through what it described as a long-documented use of violence and intimidation.
In Iran, the signatories said journalists and freedom of information were facing a violent crackdown, including internet shutdowns.
The coalition condemned all restrictions on free and independent information.
The statement urged all parties involved in the regional conflicts to comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians, including journalists.
It said deliberate attacks against journalists were unacceptable and could constitute war crimes.
The coalition also said detained journalists must be treated in accordance with international law.
The signatories called for all attacks against media workers to be investigated and for those responsible to be held accountable under national and international law.
The statement was signed by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ghana, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
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