By: Bernadette Carreon
Nearly 200 media outlets from 50 countries, including New Zealand and Australian publication, coordinated a protest on Monday demanding Israel stop killing journalists in Gaza and allow international press into Gaza.
Print newspapers ran blacked-out front pages, while broadcasters and online outlets will disrupt programming. The protest is organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Avaaz, and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
According to IFJ, at least 210 journalists have died in Gaza since October 7, 2023, making this the deadliest conflict for reporters in modern times. Israel blocks international media from Gaza, forcing Palestinian journalists to report under attack.
“Soon there will be no one left to keep the world informed. This is a war on journalism itself,” said Reporters Without Borders director Thibat Bruttin.
The demonstration follows recent killings of Palestinian journalists, including five Al Jazeera staff members killed in August during an Israeli strike on Gaza City.
Many Pacific outlets regularly cover international conflicts and support global press freedom initiatives.
Pacific Island nations are split on Gaza, with some opposing UN ceasefire resolutions while others have shifted to support them amid calls for humanitarian intervention in the region.
Palau has consistently taken a pro-Israel and pro-US position on Gaza-related UN votes: