Freedom of the press is an essential, fundamental, and constitutional right in the United States. So why is it that our government continues to aid and abet the massacre of civilians, including journalists, in Gaza? October marks a year of genocide in Gaza, but further yet, a year of media suppression and censorship by means of targeting and killing media workers. Given the fact that our country is founded upon the principles of freedom of speech, press, and assembly, among others, this seems antithetical to what our nation supposedly stands for. Targeting media workers, who are innocent civilians, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has done, is a war crime.
The impossible task for journalists in Gaza is to focus on survival, as well as coverage of what is happening before their eyes—only to not be believed, to be discarded, to be told their lives matter less because of where they are from. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, this is the deadliest conflict in history for journalists—96% of the journalists killed in Gaza have been Palestinian. Their death toll is staggering and unparalleled by any war in history—69 journalists were killed in all of World War II, 63 in Vietnam, and 17 thus far in Ukraine. These numbers pale in comparison to the 175 lives lost in their line of duty during the war in Gaza—and it has been widely documented thanks to the work of these brave people and the usage of social media as a tool.
Among the death toll are the following Al Jazeera workers: Samer AbuDaqa. Hamza AlDahdooh, who Israel actually admitted to targeting, as well as other family members of Al Jazeera bureau chief Wael Daldouh. Ismail Al Ghoul. Rami Al Rifi. An Al Jazeera investigative documentary into the war crimes committed in Gaza paid tribute to them. The documentary came out on Monday, October 7th, 2024.
“I am a photographer and a journalist. But I am also a human being. I have feelings and I can see. I can see our work is of no use. I can see our voice is of no use,” said an unidentified journalist in Al Jazeera’s newest investigation.
The helplessness and disillusionment he expressed are not singular. Malak Silmi, a Palestinian-American who left the journalism industry for this very reason, expressed a similar sentiment.
“I do not believe I can be valued as a journalist by a media industry that legitimizes and demonizes Palestinian journalists, and allows for reporting that incites and justifies attacks against them. I do not believe this industry will truly hear me while it refuses to listen and center Palestinian voices.”
The press jacket, bulletproof, brandished with huge text indicating “PRESS,” is no longer a life jacket, a Hail Mary, or a guard of safety. It is a target on the backs of the brave people who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of information distribution, to exposing the horrific war crimes they witness every day. When others are instructed to flee, they run into the fire.
How dystopian is it that those who choose to pursue this career, who are trying to help others by reporting on the ground, must do so at the risk of their lives? Unlike enlisting in the military, teachers don’t tell them the dangers and threats of choosing this career path when they sign up for their first journalism class or get their first press badge.
There are always dangers, but the barbaric treatment of journalists in Gaza and the West Bank in the past year has taken these risks above and beyond. And yet, they still went through with it. If that isn’t the picture of bravery, fearlessness, and selflessness, I don’t know what is.
One example of the admirable work that has been done by the investigative journalists in Gaza is that of Bisan Owda, the brave young woman who has documented her life under siege in Gaza, and in partnership with Al Jazeera, is now an Emmy award and Peabody award winning reporter. She has demonstrated bravery to the highest degree, choosing to stay and document the truth rather than flee to safety. Without this evidence and exposure, accountability would be an even further possibility.
Yet, the war crimes continue to take place. Denial continues to fester on social media. How is this possible, given how highly documented this is? How can we all watch the atrocities via X, TikTok, and Instagram, and continue to do nothing? For the sake of those who were martyred in the pursuit of knowledge, in the name of information, we must pay attention. As Jodie Ginsburg, head of the Committee to Protect Journalists said, “Truth is the first casualty in war.” We must not look away. We must keep their names and their work alive.
These lives lost are not just journalists. They are husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers. They are artists and writers. They have dreams, aspirations, goals. Loved ones. Sacred mementos. Memories. Though they’ve taken their last breaths, their legacies can not be measured by human mortality. Their stories will live on, so long as we are committed to telling them.
