Speaking on World Press Freedom Day last Friday, the Society’s statement comes as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) warned that at least 97 journalists and media workers had lost their lives since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 2023 with those killed predominantly working in Gaza. The statement also comes after the Society’s President Kamal Ahmed led a minute’s silence earlier this week at the Society’s 25th Anniversary Conferencein memory of more than 1,200 journalists who had lost their lives since the organisation’s formation.
Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors said: “Since Hamas’ attack in Israel on 7 October, we have been deeply alarmed at the unprecedented number of journalists that have been killed or injured while covering the conflict.
“During times of war, the importance of accurate and verifiable news and information cannot be overstated, and journalists worldwide have an essential role to play bearing witness and documenting what is taking place during times of armed conflict.
“On World Press Freedom Day we are reminded that journalists and media workers around the world continue to put themselves at immense risk to hold power to account and we pay tribute to the courage and bravery of those reporting on behalf of the public. It is essential that all are provided with the necessary protections and safeguards required to allow them to fulfil their role without threat of intimidation or violence.”
The importance of press freedom and those who have been imprisoned and killed in the name of freedom and democracy was also highlighted by the Prime Minister in his keynote address to the Society’s conference last week. The full text of the Prime Minister’s speech can be found here.
Keep up-to-date with publishing news: sign up here for InPubWeekly, our free weekly e-newsletter.
