The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today announced that it plans
to organise a wide ranging investigation into Israeli actions against media during
the current conflict in Gaza
after another building housing media organisations was struck this morning by
Israeli missiles.
"We
are witnessing in Gaza
unprecedented and deliberate attacks on media which put journalists and others
in harm's way," said Aidan White,
IFJ General Secretary. "There have been a string of such actions, and a
concerted effort to ban, control and manage media, all of which demands full
investigation."
The
IFJ says it will support a wide ranging investigation particularly into the use
of military force against media, which is a serious violation of international
law and counter to Security Council resolution 1738 which provides protection
of journalists and media personnel in conflict zones."
According
to numerous press reports, the Ash- Ash-Shuruq
Tower, a building housing several news
organisations, including Reuters, NBC, Fox News, Sky News, Al-Arabiya and Abu Dhabi TV channels in downtown Gaza City
was hit by an Israeli missile today.
Two journalists, Muhammad As-Susi and Ayman Ar-Rezi working for Abu Dhabi were injured in
the attack
The
IFJ has since the outbreak of the current conflict repeatedly denounced attacks
on media by Israel in Gaza which have claimed five lives of journalists and
protested its ban on foreign journalists to enter Gaza.
"This
latest attack against the press is irrefutable proof that Israel pursues a clear strategy of
intimidating the world media, including by wilfully killing and injuring journalists,
into desisting from reporting independently on the conflict," added White.
"This is a dangerous departure form universally accepted rules for prosecuting
war which must be denounced and resisted."
The
IFJ calls on all media organisations with presence in Gaza or information on attacks against the
media in the area to contribute to the investigation by sharing information in
their possession with IFJ.
For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide
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- IFJ Plans Investigation into Violations of Press Rights after New Assault on Media in Gaza