We, the undersigned, stand united with Palestinian journalists in their call for safety, protection, and the freedom to report.

For nearly five months, journalists and media workers in Gaza — overwhelmingly, the sole source of on- the-ground reporting from within the Palestinian territory — have been working in unprecedented conditions: at least 89 have been killed in the war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more journalists than have ever been killed in a single country over an entire year.

Leaders of more than 30 news organisations from across the world, including the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters, have joined an open letter affirming their solidarity with journalists reporting in Gaza. https://t.co/FEsB4Hlb1s

— World Editors Forum (@WorldEditors) February 29, 2024

These journalists — on whom the international news media and the international community rely for information about the situation inside Gaza – continue to report despite grave personal risk. They continue despite the loss of family, friends, and colleagues, the destruction of homes and offices, constant displacement, communications blackouts, and shortages of food and fuel.

Journalists are civilians and Israeli authorities must protect journalists as noncombatants according to international law. Those responsible for any violations of that longstanding protection should be held accountable. Attacks on journalists are also attacks on truth. We commit to championing the safety of journalists in Gaza, which is fundamental for the protection of press freedom everywhere.

Malaysian journalists put cameras and media badges on the ground during a solidarity protest with Gaza press members organised by the united voice of Malaysian media known as ‘Save Press 4 Gaza’ at Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 18 November 2023. (Photo: EPA-EFE / FAZRY ISMAIL)

Signatories

1. Kim Godwin, President, ABC NEWS
2. Phil Chetwynd, Global News Director, Agence France-Presse
3. Hossam Kanafani, Editor in Chief, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed
4. ShiroNakamura, President, The Asahi Shimbun, Japan
5. Julie Pace, Executive Editor, Associated Press
6. Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive, Association for International Broadcasters
7. Deborah Turness, CEO, BBC News
8. Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide
9. Daoud Kuttab,Director General, Community Media Network, Jordan
10. Branko Brkic, Editor in Chief, Daily Maverick, South Africa
11. Alia Ibrahim, Co-founder/CEO, Daraj, Lebanon
12. Roula Khalaf, Editor, Financial Times
13. Katharine Viner, Editor in Chief, The Guardian
14. Aluf Benn, Editor in Chief, Haaretz
15. Geordie Grieg, Editor in Chief, The Independent
16. Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, Chairperson, Inquirer Group of Companies, The Philippines
17. Deirdre Veldon, Managing Director, former Deputy Editor, The Irish Times, Ireland
18. Rachel Corp, Chief Executive, ITNUK
19.  Andrew Dagnell, Editor, ITV News UK
20. Terry Tang, Interim Executive Editor, Los Angeles Times
21. Rameeza Nizami, Managing Director, Nawaiwaqt Group, Pakistan
22. Pamella Sittoni, Group Managing Editor, Nation Media Group, Kenya
23. Rebecca Blumenstein, President, Editorial, NBCNews
24. David Remnick, Editor, The New Yorker
25. AG Sulzberger, Publisher, The New York Times
26. Martha Ramos, President, World Editors Forum/Chief Editorial Officer, Organización Editorial Mexicana, Mexico
27. Hans Väre, Editor in Chief, Postimees Grupp, Estonia
28. Alan Rusbridger, Editor, Prospect magazine, UK
29. Ritu Kapur, CEO, The Quint, India
30. Maria Ressa, CEO and Co-Founder, Rappler Inc.
31. Alessandra Galloni, Editor in Chief, Reuters
32. Nwabisa Makunga, Editor in Chief, The Sowetan, South Africa
33. Dirk Kurbjuweit, Editor in Chief, Der Spiegel
34. Wolfgang Krach, Editor in Chief, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany
35. Sally Buzbee, Executive Editor, The Washington Post
36. Vincent Peyrègne, CEO, World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) DM