Statement on World Press Freedom Day 2025

May 3, 2025

Issued by the Community Development and Media Center (CDMC)

Gaza: Journalism Under Fire, Truth Under Siege

On World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, we reaffirm the fundamental right of journalists to work freely and safely—and the right of people everywhere to access truthful and independent information. But this year, World Press Freedom Day comes at a time of catastrophic situations in the Gaza Strip, where these rights are systematically violated by the Israeli occupying forces.

Since the outbreak of the latest Israeli aggression against the Strip, (210) Palestinian journalists have been killed, (398) journalists have been injured and (48) are kidnapped and kept in Israeli jails—many while reporting from the ground, armed only with their cameras and words. (88) of Media offices and news agencies have been bombed and destroyed in clear violation of international humanitarian law, which protects journalists covering armed conflicts.

At the same time, the Israeli occupying authorities continue to ban international journalists from entering Gaza, creating a total blackout that prevents the world from witnessing the reality on the ground. These two policies—the deliberate targeting of Palestinians journalists and the exclusion of foreign press—serve one purpose: to silence truth and erase evidence of war crimes and grave violations of human rights committed against civilians.

By denying international media access and targeting Palestinian reporters, the occupying power is not only attacking individuals but assaulting the core concept of free press.

We affirm that:

The deliberate targeting of journalists constitutes a war crime under international law.
The denial of international media access to conflict zones is a violation of the public’s right to know and a direct attack on the principle of press freedom.

We call on:

The United Nations and international bodies to launch urgent and independent investigations into the killing of journalists in Gaza.
The international community to pressure Israel to immediately lift restrictions on international media and allow full access to the Gaza Strip.
Global media organizations and press freedom advocates to stand in solidarity with Palestinian journalists and to resist all attempts to suppress their voices. this time of darkness and hopelessness, we raise our voices to say:
There is no press freedom where journalists are killed, truth is buried, and cameras are silenced.

Standing with Gaza’s journalists is not just professional solidarity—it is a moral obligation in defense of truth, dignity, and life.