Stop targetting journalists: World Press Freedom Day rallies for press safety
Event addresses Al Jazeera cameraman's death in Gaza drone attack
KUALA LUMPUR - World Press Freedom Day, observed on May 3 this year, was overshadowed by the recent deadly attacks on journalists covering the genocide in Gaza.
Media outlets and Non-Govermental Organisations (NGOs) gathered in here to condemn the targetting of journalists, raising their voices against the ongoing violence.
Over 50 participants, including representatives from Al-Jazeera and the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim), joined the event.
They carried signs advocating for journalist safety and condemning the 'genocide' in Gaza.
A call for protection and accountability
Al-Jazeera's Malaysia Bureau Chief Samer Allawi urged media outlets worldwide to unite against the targeting of journalists.
He stressed the critical role journalists play as 'witnesses' to the genocide and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
"Since Oct 7, more than 200 journalists have been killed in the genocide in Gaza.
"Killing Journalists means you are killing the reality and messengers.
"We have to raise our voices to stop killing and targetting the journalist because journalists are the only eye witnesses of the situation; they have no guns," he said when met.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) more than 200 journalists and media workers, the vast majority Palestinian, have been killed in the first seven months of mass-killing in Gaza.
Since the start of the genocide, at least 34,596 Palestinians have been killed and 77,816 others injured in Gaza.
More than 8,000 others are missing, buried under the rubble.
Organisations like Mapim echoed Samer's sentiments.
MAPIM President Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid stressed the need for continuous protection of journalists, not just on World Press Freedom Day, but every day.
"Journalists are on the frontline, delivering crucial news.
"Their work raises global awareness and sparks action," Azmi said.
Highlighting specific attacks
The event specifically addressed the death of Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abudaqa in December 2023.
Abudaqa was killed in an Israeli drone attack while reporting in Gaza.
Al Jazeera has consistently called for international intervention to ensure the safety of journalists and hold those responsible for attacks accountable.
In 2022, Palestinian reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, renowned across the Arab world, was killed by the Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank while reporting.
Al Jazeera has called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for attacks on reporters.
