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The African Initiative for Journalism and Media (AfroMedia) has reportedly condemned what it described as systematic crimes committed by Israeli forces against journalists and civilians in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
AfroMedia said the situation in Gaza amounted to a flagrant violation of international laws and United Nations (UN) charters that guarantee protection for civilians and media professionals during armed conflicts.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, the organisation cited reports from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which have documented the killing of more than 240 journalists in recent months, alongside dozens injured or arrested — making Gaza “the most dangerous place in the world to practice journalism in the 21st century.”
The statement said targeting journalists such as Anas Al-Sharif, Hossam Shabat, Ismail Abu Hatab, and Yahya Sobeih was a deliberate attempt to silence the truth, conceal crimes against civilians, and mislead the global public about events on the ground.
“This targeting violates the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and constitutes a full-fledged war crime whose perpetrators must be held accountable immediately,” AfroMedia said.
It warned that the silence of the international community has emboldened the continuation of such violations and called on the UN to issue an immediate condemnation, launch an urgent international investigation — including through the International Criminal Court — and ensure that independent media teams have access to Gaza to document events.
AfroMedia also called for protective measures for journalists, including logistical support and essential equipment to operate in conflict zones.
“The martyrdom of such a large number of journalists is not only a human loss but also a damaging blow to press freedom, transparency, and peoples’ right to knowledge,” the statement read.
The group stressed that the battle in Gaza is not only being fought on the ground but also in the realm of the media narrative, underscoring the urgent need to safeguard independent reporting.
It backed journalists defending truth and justice, and urged all media and human rights organisations to unite in pressuring for an end to the attacks.
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