A journalist joins others rushing toward the scene of an explosion following an Israeli strike on the outskirts of Gaza City, on September 1, 2024. (Photo: AFP/Omar Al-Qattaa)
Dear Friend,
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war on October 7, 2023, CPJ has been relentless in our efforts to protect press freedom in what has become the most dangerous conflict for journalists that we have ever documented.
The toll has been staggering—at least 128 journalists and media workers, all but five of them Palestinian, have been killed – more journalists than have died in the course of any year since CPJ began documenting journalist killings in 1992. These Palestinian journalists’ reporting is critical to our understanding of the reality on the ground.
In the face of these extraordinary challenges, I want to update you on the extensive work CPJ has done since last October to safeguard the truth and protect those who bring it to us:
Research & Documentation
Our teams work continuously to monitor and verify reports of journalists killed, injured, detained, or missing. We’ve established ourselves as a key source of credible information for outlets such as the New York Times, TIME, CNN, BBC, Haaretz, and NPR, with our data cited over 54,000 times in media coverage surrounding the conflict in 59 languages across 163 countries.
Advocacy
Since the beginning of the war, CPJ has repeatedly demanded accountability for journalist killings in Gaza as well as unfettered, independent access for media organizations to cover the conflict. CPJ has called for a humanitarian ceasefire, marshaled media organizations’ to speak out in solidarity with journalists in Gaza, and demanded Israel allow media into Gaza. In addition, we submitted an urgent appeal to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to investigate the cases of journalists who have been detained without charge by Israel after October 7, 2023, urged US President Joe Biden to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on journalist killings and denounced Israel’s smearing of killed Palestinian journalists. We are also actively engaged in seeking accountability over journalists' murders.
Journalist Assistance
Over the past year, CPJ has been dispersing its largest ever assistance grant – more than $300,000 – to journalists in Gaza, helping them cover the costs of food, water, clothing, shelter, and replacing damaged equipment amid excruciating humanitarian conditions, displacement and bombardment. Nearly one year into the war, the needs of journalists both remain the same and have evolved. The scale of need remains great as only a limited number of press freedom and international organizations, as well as international governments, are responding to the needs of Palestinian journalists.
Journalists in Gaza need urgent support, including food, water, living supplies, and cash to sustain their work amid ongoing conflict. As the only journalists able to report directly from Gaza, they also require essential journalistic equipment. We are also anticipating growing needs for exile support, with hundereds of journalists and their families displaced to Egypt, and for legal and post-prison support for those arrested in the West Bank and Gaza. Additionally, trauma support will remain a critical need as journalists continue to report from and survive this war. CPJ’s experience in other conflict zones will guide our approach to providing culturally appropriate trauma care.
The challenges are immense, but our commitment to protecting the journalists who risk their lives to report the truth remains unwavering. Your support makes this work possible. Together, we are ensuring that the stories that must be told from Gaza, Israel, and beyond continue to reach the world.
Thank you for standing with CPJ and the journalists who continue reporting despite grave risks.
With gratitude,
Jodie Ginsberg
CEO, Committee to Protect Journalists
