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Several news outlets, including the BBC, Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters, launched a joint campaign Thursday, urging Israel to allow international journalists independent access to Gaza.
The four outlets premiered a short film narrated by veteran BBC journalist David Dimbleby during an event hosted by the Committee to Protect Journalists in New York.
The screening coincided with the United Nations General Assembly.
The film uses historic news footage to stress the importance of independent reporting during conflicts.
It highlights that since Israel began military operations in Gaza following Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, foreign reporters have been barred from entering except under Israeli army escort.
"As journalists, we record the first draft of history. But in this conflict, reporting is falling solely to a small number of Palestinian journalists, who are paying a terrible cost," said Deborah Turness, CEO of BBC News.
"After two years of conflict, we must be let in. To work alongside local journalists. So we can all bring the facts to the world," she added.
Israel’s army has previously said restrictions are necessary for security and insisted journalists be accompanied during operations to ensure safety.
Israel’s foreign ministry and military did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment before the film's release.
Last year, Israel's Supreme Court ruled that the entry restrictions were justified on security grounds. Meanwhile, media watchdogs say over 200 reporters and media workers have been killed since the conflict began.
Editors-in-chief Alessandra Galloni of Reuters and Julie Pace of AP have also called for accountability over Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in Gaza that killed five journalists last month.
They said a "clear account" from Israeli authorities and concrete safeguards for press freedom were urgently needed.
The news organizations maintain that without independent access, international coverage of Gaza relies almost entirely on local reporters facing extreme risks.
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