CNN, BBC, CBS & Sky Journalists Sign Open Letter Demanding “Unfettered” Access To Gaza
28.02.2024 - 13:45
/ deadline.com
A group of top international journalists have joined forces to demand that Israel and Egypt provide foreign media with “unfettered access” to Gaza.
Fifty-five presenters and correspondents have signed an open letter that also appeals for better protections for local press already reporting in the territory.
Among the signatories are CNN‘s Christiane Amanpour, Sky News journalist Alex Crawford, and Jeremy Bowen, the BBC‘s international editor. Other news networks represented include ITV, Channel 4, ABC, NBC, and CBS.
The burden of reporting Israel’s war in Gaza has fallen on courageous Palestinian journalists – more than 80 have been killed. International media are not allowed into Gaza – our letters to Israel and Egypt asking for unfettered access to Gaza like all other conflicts reported on pic.twitter.com/BWmaYnhgcZ
The letter states: “Almost five months into the war in Gaza, foreign reporters are still being denied access to the territory, outside of the rare and escorted trips with the Israeli military.
“We urge the governments of Israel and Egypt to allow free and unfettered access to Gaza for all foreign media. We call on the government of Israel to openly state its permission for international journalists to operate in Gaza and for the Egyptian authorities to allow international journalists access to the Rafah Crossing.”
It continues: “There is intense global interest in the events in Gaza and for now the only reporting has come from journalists who were already based there.
“It’s vital that local journalists’ safety is respected and that their efforts are bolstered by the journalism of members of the international media. The need for comprehensive on the ground reporting of the conflict is imperative.”
Crawfor