Conference Highlights Challenges Faced by Journalists in Arab World
The recent conference titled 'Safety of Journalists during Crises and Emergencies' held in Addis Ababa, organized by the African Union Commission and UNESCO, concluded with a stark portrayal of the dire situation facing journalists in the Arab region. The event featured closed sessions and workshops focused on the various challenges and violations journalists encounter globally, with a particular emphasis on the Arab world.
During a session titled 'The Impact of Crises and Emergencies on Journalists in the Arab World', experts discussed the escalating violence against journalists in conflict zones such as Palestine, Sudan, and Yemen. Shorouk Asaad, a correspondent for Radio Monte Carlo and a member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, described 2023 as a 'bloody year' for Palestinian media, highlighting that since the escalation of conflict after October 7, the Israeli authorities have targeted journalists to suppress opposing narratives. Asaad reported that approximately 10% of journalists in Gaza have been lost, and significant media infrastructure has been destroyed, severely impacting the ability of journalists to report from the ground.
The Plight of Journalists in Conflict Zones
The situation in Sudan, as described by Abdel Moneim Abu Idris, head of the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, is equally grim. With 13 journalists killed and 90% of press institutions destroyed or looted, many journalists have fled the country, seeking refuge in neighboring nations. The ongoing conflict has rendered it dangerous for journalists to operate, as both the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces disregard international humanitarian laws protecting journalists.
Similarly, the head of the National Organization of Yemeni Journalists, Yousef Hazeb, reported a tragic decline in press freedoms in Yemen, where 61 journalists have been killed in the past decade and hundreds have been kidnapped or disappeared. Despite efforts from local and international organizations, the targeting of journalists has escalated, with many facing fabricated charges and severe judicial repercussions.
The conference also included workshops aimed at addressing the protection of journalists, with discussions on the cycle of violence and impunity that has plagued the media landscape in these regions. The Sudanese Media Forum and the Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations Union organized sessions to spotlight violations and advocate for improved press freedoms.
As the conference concluded, the urgent need for international attention and action to protect journalists in crisis zones became increasingly clear, highlighting the critical role of media in documenting and reporting on human rights violations and conflicts.
