Ankara: Members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) issued a joint statement Tuesday expressing concern over the safety of journalists and media workers and the impact of escalating regional tensions in the Middle East on access to information.
According to Anadolu Agency, the coalition emphasized the critical role of independent media during armed conflicts in providing accurate and timely information to affected communities and the international public. The statement highlighted an increasing number of journalists being killed, arrested, or detained across the region, raising alarm about the safety of journalists and media workers.
The statement accused the Israeli government of blocking independent international journalists from entering Gaza for over two years, which has severely restricted independent reporting on the ongoing conflict. The coalition strongly condemned all forms of violence against journalists and media workers, including attacks on media infrastructure, press facilities, and clearly marked media vehicles.
Additionally, the coalition expressed concern over a crackdown on journalists and press freedom in Iran, citing incidents such as internet shutdowns. These actions, the statement argued, raise significant concerns about the protection of journalists under international humanitarian law and the state of press freedom in conflict situations.
The MFC called on all parties involved in the conflicts to adhere to international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians, including journalists. They stressed that deliberate attacks on journalists are unacceptable and could constitute war crimes, urging that detained journalists be treated in accordance with international law.
The statement was endorsed by a wide range of countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ghana, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.