DAKAR, September 13, 2025 (WAFA) — The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the pan-African branch of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has strongly condemned the ongoing killing and abuse of journalists and media workers in Gaza by Israeli forces.
According to FAJ, at least 221 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed since the start of the war. The federation expressed solidarity with the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), whose members continue to work under extreme danger, fear, and grief.
“What we are witnessing is not an isolated tragedy but a consistent pattern of violations with few parallels in recent history,” FAJ said in a statement. It noted that journalists have been killed both on duty and at home with their families. Press offices, radio stations, and clearly marked media vehicles have been struck. Others have suffered serious injuries, been denied urgent medical care, or forced to work without protective equipment.
The federation condemned the detentions, ill-treatment of journalists, smear campaigns, and digital harassment aimed at silencing coverage. Equipment, personal archives, and livelihoods have also been destroyed.
“These abuses amount to grave breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law,” FAJ declared, urging Israel to immediately protect journalists and civilians, end the targeting of the media, and prevent further harm. The federation demanded independent and public investigations into every killing and attack, with prosecutions of those responsible.
FAJ also called for concrete measures to ensure safe reporting conditions, including protective gear, evacuation arrangements, stable communications, and the release of all detained journalists. Allegations of torture and mistreatment, it said, must be investigated without delay.
In line with IFJ’s position, FAJ pledged unwavering support to the PJS and its 800 members in Gaza. The federation stressed the urgent need for contributions to the IFJ’s International Safety Fund, which provides emergency support to victim journalists.
FAJ urged governments, regional bodies, and UN agencies to act swiftly to safeguard Palestinian journalists, protect media infrastructure, and guarantee independent reporting. It also renewed calls for states to adopt an international convention on the protection of journalists, as proposed by the IFJ, to ensure binding guarantees for their safety and independence.
“African journalists will not look away, and we urge the world not to look away either,” the statement concluded.
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