AIB condemns attacks on building housing media outlets in Gaza

The Association for International Broadcasting condemns the attacks by the Israeli military on the building housing Al Jazeera Media Network – one of its Members – and Associated Press in Gaza.

The destruction of the building with an hour’s notice appears to have been undertaken to restrict reporting by international media organisations in Gaza as the conflict in the region intensifies. 

“It is appalling that a building housing international media is targeted by the Israeli military, whether during a conflict or at any other time,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “It appears that this is a concerted effort to restrict the flow of impartial news and information from Gaza during the conflict. The attack on this building – irrespective of the warning that was apparently issued by the IDF – is contrary to all norms and contravenes the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tweeted: “We have communicated directly to the Israelis that ensuring the safety and security of journalists and independent media is a paramount responsibility.” The AIB welcomes this important intervention.

Covering conflicts has always been challenging and dangerous for journalists and media organisations and this latest case demonstrates that governments continue to target media outlets during times of crisis and conflict. In view of the gravity of this specific case, the AIB will be referring the matter to the Consultative Network of the inter-governmental Media Freedom Coalition as a matter of urgency.

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