At a seminar on World Press Freedom Day, MADA and partners condemned attacks on Gaza journalists, highlighting 240 deaths and nearly 1,000 violations in 2024, calling for international accountability.
This statement was originally published on madacenter.org on 6 May 2025.
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) held a special seminar yesterday, via Zoom, entitled “Truth-Tellers’ Sacrifices in the Time of Genocide”. The event marked World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, and brought together representatives from local and international organizations, human rights institutions, and dozens of journalists from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The seminar shed light on the severe challenges faced by Palestinian journalists, particularly amid the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, approximately 240 journalists have been killed – marking one of the deadliest attacks against media professionals in modern history.
Moderated by MADA board member Mr. JIHAD HARB, the seminar opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. GHAZI HANANIA, Chairman of MADA’s Board of Directors. Dr. HANANIA praised the resilience and sacrifices of Palestinian journalists working under the continued genocidal war on Gaza, noting the martyrdom of hundreds and the perilous conditions under which many others continue to work without real protection. He emphasized that journalism is undergoing an exceptionally difficult phase, yet continues to demonstrate remarkable courage and endurance.
Speaking on behalf of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Mr. MONTASER HAMDAN, Chair of the Training and Occupational Safety Committee, addressed several key issues concerning the protection of media work. He called for holding local and international media stakeholders accountable and urged the establishment of a national Palestinian mechanism to confront the threats facing journalists. HAMDAN also stressed the importance of cooperation in preparing legal files to present before international forums in order to stop the crimes committed in Gaza and ensure journalists can continue reporting, while holding the occupying state accountable for its actions.
SARAH CLARKE, Head of Communications and Advocacy at IFEX, highlighted the grave conditions journalists face in Gaza. She outlined IFEX’s efforts to document the crimes committed, describing the organization as a global defender of freedom of expression with a significant presence in the Middle East. CLARKE criticized what she called the international community’s “paralysis” in addressing the crisis. She reaffirmed IFEX’s support for media institutions such as MADA and its commitment to promoting media freedom worldwide.
During the seminar, Ms. SHIREEN AL-KHATIB, Acting Director of MADA, presented the 2024 Annual Report on Media Freedoms in Palestine. She reported a 24% increase in documented violations compared to the previous year. MADA recorded 953 violations against media freedoms in 2024, 93% of which – 885 incidents – were perpetrated by Israeli forces, including the killing of 113 journalists.
Psychologist Mr. ISMAIL ZIADA addressed the psychological toll these violations have on journalists, emphasizing the need for sustained mental health support, which he argued is just as vital as physical safety. He called for the institutionalization of psychological protection mechanisms for media workers.
The seminar also featured testimonies and contributions from journalists who survived the ongoing war. They recounted the harsh and perilous media landscape they navigate daily. These journalists described themselves not merely as transmitters of truth, but as integral parts of the truth – both witnesses and victims – who, through their sacrifices, are writing the history of this tragic era.
The event concluded with questions and comments from participants, and a reaffirmation from MADA of its unwavering commitment to monitoring violations, defending media freedom, and exposing the crimes committed against truth-tellers in Palestine. MADA called for broader international solidarity to protect journalists and empower them to continue their essential work.
