By: Pernille Bjørndal
The ongoing war in Gaza was a central focus at this year’s Safety of Journalists Conference, where speakers shared insights and experiences on this critical issue. The second day of the annual event began with reports on journalist deaths in Gaza, presented by Attila Mong from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Palestinian journalist Tamer Almisshal and NRK correspondent Yama Wolasmal followed with firsthand accounts of covering the region. The session concluded with a panel discussion on journalism in Gaza and the broader Middle East, featuring Wolasmal, Aber Saady, and Katryn Glatz Brubakk.
Journalist Safety in Gaza: Deadliest Period Since 1992
Attila Mong from CPJ presented CPJ’s findings on journalist casualties in Gaza, noting that the conflict has led to the documented deaths of 134 journalists, making it the deadliest period for journalists since 1992. Mong highlighted that five of these journalists were intentionally targeted, which constitutes a war crime. He also described additional tactics used to suppress reporting in Gaza, including 71 documented journalist arrests, many accompanied by torture, and the permanent shutdown of five news offices. Thousands of journalists attempting to report from Gaza are denied access.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
CPJ is committed to defending journalists’ right to report safely and promoting global press freedom. Mong explained CPJ’s thorough process of documenting violations, stating, “We’re not just collecting a name and date; we strive to uncover the full story and verify if the individual was indeed a journalist.” Mong acknowledged that the real numbers may be higher, as CPJ’s verification process requires careful consultation with sources and families. “We may never fully capture the true numbers,” he said.
Journalism Amid the War in Gaza
Before the panel, two seasoned journalists—NRK’s Middle East correspondent Yama Wolasmal and Tamer Almisshal, a Gaza-based reporter for BBC and Al Jazeera—offered their perspectives on covering Gaza’s complex realities.
Reporting from Within Gaza
Tamer Almisshal, who joined the conference via Zoom from Gaza, expressed appreciation for international support for journalist safety while emphasizing the dire situation on the ground. Four of his colleagues had been killed by targeted drone strikes and gunfire, adding to the mounting toll of journalist casualties in northern Gaza. Almisshal shared the tragic story of a young colleague who was recently shot in the neck and left paralyzed due to inadequate medical care. “They don’t want this brutality in Gaza to be seen,” he said, stressing journalists’ right to report on the war. He reminded the audience that journalists in Gaza face threats not only to their lives but also to their credibility and professional integrity.
Restricted Access to Gaza
Yama Wolasmal echoed Almisshal’s concerns about restricted access, describing the barriers Israel has imposed on journalists attempting to enter Gaza. Despite numerous attempts, Wolasmal and many others have been denied entry, with security cited as the primary concern. This restriction presents a paradox regarding journalists’ ability to report from the conflict zone.
Wolasmal underscored his commitment to telling personal stories rather than reducing casualties to mere statistics. “I want to give them a face,” he said, recounting the story of his colleague Sami, who has lost everything and been displaced 17 times since October 7. Now living in a makeshift tent in Gaza, Sami’s resilience in the face of loss has inspired Wolasmal. “He’s lost 20 close colleagues, yet he somehow finds the strength to continue his work every day.”
Wolasmal also addressed the criticism of employing local journalists in Hamas-controlled areas and concerns about the reliability of their reports. He acknowledged the importance of scrutiny but cautioned against discrediting all local reporting. As an example, he shared how Sami had prevented the publication of a false story, demonstrating that local journalists are vital to ensuring credible information from Gaza.