Reporters into the Gaza Strip not Allowed

Ten days after the Israeli's Supreme Court ruling on 31 December which ordered the state to allow foreign reporters into the Gaza Strip, Israel continues to block foreign media access. Each day international journalists have gone to the border crossing and have been turned away by military officials, normally on the premise that it is too dangerous and that the presence of journalists at the terminals could make them, a target for militants. Journalists have therefore not been able to talk to the Palestinians inside Gaza to gain their version of events. However, at the same time international reporters have been welcomed into Israel and have been free to interview Israeli officials on the crisis.
"The media blackout is a violation of the world's right to know what is happening in Gaza. In the absence of international media it is impossible to receive unbiased news on the situation. It is also an abuse of the right to freedom of expression for those living inside Gaza who are being prevented from telling their story to the world. Moreover, the presence of journalists on the ground can actually deter abuses of international human rights and international humanitarian law in a conflict situation. Freedom of expression and the right to access to information are necessary for building a situation of lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East,” stated Agnes Callamard, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19Preventing foreign media from reporting from inside Gaza represents a new low for press freedom in Israel. The State has historically allowed access to foreign reporters even at the height of previous conflicts. The Israeli State not only stands in violation of international human rights law but is also acting against the decision of its own highest court by which eight members of the media were to be allowed into Gaza when the Erez crossing was opened for humanitarian reasons. It should be noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling represents somewhat of a compromise between international standards and the Israeli State in that it permits the authorities to place a limitation on the number of journalists allowed entry to Gaza and only says they must consider increasing numbers once security allows. Although security is an issue for all journalists in conflict situations and it is sometimes easier to ensure the safety of small numbers, access to journalists should not be limited numerically. Limiting the numbers of journalists given access places a restriction upon the number of reports and range of opinions coming out of a conflict zone. There are currently journalists from about 30 different countries, speaking at least 10 different languages waiting in Israel to access Gaza. Even if the Israeli government were to permit the entry of 8 individuals at a time, this would clearly not be enough to serve the world’s media and right to information effectively.ARTICLE 19 calls upon the Israeli authorities to allow immediate and unrestricted foreign media access into the Gaza Strip in accordance with its international obligations on the right to freedom of expression and the right to access information, under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Israel ratified on 3 October 1991.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more information: please contact Jasmine O’Connor, Senior Director for Development, http://article19.org/+44 20 7278 9292





Article 19 condemns continuing media blackout of crisis in Gaza

Ten days after the Israeli's Supreme Court ruling on 31 December which ordered
the state to allow foreign reporters into the Gaza Strip, Israel continues to block
foreign media access. Each day international journalists have gone to the border crossing and have been turned away by military officials, normally on the premise that it is too dangerous and that the presence of journalists at the terminals could make them, a target for militants. Journalists have therefore not been able to talk to the Palestinians inside Gaza to gain their version of
events. However, at the same time international reporters have been welcomed into Israel and have been free to interview Israeli officials on the crisis.
"The media blackout is a violation of the world's right to know what is happening in Gaza. In the absence of international media it is impossible to receive unbiased news on the situation. It is also an abuse of the right to freedom of expression for those living inside Gaza who are being prevented from telling their story to the world. Moreover, the presence of journalists on the ground can actually deter abuses of international human rights and international humanitarian law in a conflict situation. Freedom of expression
and the right to access to information are necessary for building a situation of
lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East,” stated Agnes Callamard, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19 Preventing foreign media from reporting from inside Gaza represents a new low for press
freedom in Israel. The State has historically allowed access to foreign reporters even at the height of previous conflicts. The Israeli State not only stands in violation of international human rights law but is also acting against the decision of its own highest court by which eight members of the media were to be allowed into Gaza when the Erez crossing was opened for humanitarian reasons. It should be noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling represents somewhat of a compromise between international standards and the Israeli State in that it permits the authorities to place a limitation on the number of journalists allowed entry to Gaza and only says they must consider increasing numbers once security allows. Although security is an issue for all journalists in conflict situations and it is sometimes easier to ensure the safety of small
numbers, access to journalists should not be limited numerically. Limiting the numbers of journalists given access places a restriction upon the number of reports and range of opinions coming out of a conflict zone. There are currently journalists from about 30 different countries, speaking at least 10 different languages waiting in Israel to access Gaza. Even if the Israeli government were to permit the entry of 8 individuals at a time, this would clearly not be enough to serve the world’s media and right to information effectively.

ARTICLE 19 calls upon the Israeli authorities to allow immediate and unrestricted foreign media access into the Gaza Strip in accordance with its international obligations on the right to freedom of expression and the right to access information, under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Israel ratified on 3 October 1991.