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Palestine Emerges as the Most Dangerous Place for Journalists Amid Gaza War

Friday 02 May 2025 - 10:03
Palestine Emerges as the Most Dangerous Place for Journalists Amid Gaza War
By: Zahouani Ilham
Zoom

Palestine has been identified as the most perilous region for journalists globally, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), amid the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The watchdog’s 2025 World Press Freedom Index reveals that nearly 200 journalists have been killed during the first year and a half of the conflict, with at least 42 of them targeted while actively reporting.

Journalists in Gaza face life-threatening conditions, including severe shortages of food, water, and safe shelter. In the occupied West Bank, media professionals are frequently subjected to harassment and violence by both Israeli settlers and security forces. Since October 7, a surge in arrests and an increase in unchecked violence against journalists has worsened the situation, RSF reported.

RSF also noted that journalists suspected of links with Israel encounter restrictions from groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Meanwhile, a cybercrime law enforced by the Palestinian Authority has further curtailed freedom of expression and press activity.

In the 2025 global press freedom rankings, Palestine dropped to 163rd place, falling six spots from the previous year. Out of 180 countries evaluated, 112 experienced declines in press freedom, and the global average score fell to an all-time low of 55 points.

The United States also witnessed a deterioration, dropping two ranks to its lowest position yet, scoring 57. RSF attributed this to former President Donald Trump's re-election campaign, which was marked by constant attacks on the media and threats to use governmental powers against journalists. The report warned that early steps in Trump’s second term—such as politicizing the FCC and attempting to dismantle key media institutions—pose serious risks to press freedom in the U.S.

Israel fell 11 places to 112th, with RSF pointing to increased control over media, erosion of editorial independence, and favoritism toward pro-government outlets. Since 2021, only Channel 14—a pro-Netanyahu broadcaster—has received interview access to the Prime Minister. In 2024, the Communications Minister even called for a boycott of Haaretz, one of the few outlets criticizing Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

At the bottom of the list were Eritrea, North Korea, and China, while Norway, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Sweden ranked highest for press freedom.

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