Israel-Gaza war: Media group calls for ceasefire and end to violence against journalists and civilians

KUALA LUMPUR: A coalition of Malaysian media associations, clubs and unions under Save Press 4 Gaze (SP4G) are calling for an international stand against the violence faced by journalists covering the Palestine occupation.

SP4G spokesman Sairien Nafis said the local media are demanding for a ceasefire to end the violence against journalists and civilians.

“The coalition taking the same stand as the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate to call for global journalists to condemn the targeting of their colleagues resonates deeply with us.

“We stand united in support of their brave efforts to report amidst the chaos and destruction in Gaza.

“Those who have been covering relentlessly in Palestine have been instrumental in bringing the harsh realities of the conflict to the forefront of public awareness, making them an invaluable asset to the global media landscape,” he said when met at Dataran Merdeka.

SP4G held a peaceful rally at Dataran Merdeka in the city which was attended by 150 media personnel from 26 clubs, associations and unions across the country, where they held posters to call to ensure the press workers covering the atrocities by Israel were protected.

Sairien said reporting from the local media in the enclave was important as it provided a balanced reporting to the world about the ongoing violence faced by the Palestine people.

“The deliberate targeting of journalists has been a disturbing trend, evident in the Reporters Without Borders investigation into the Oct 13 Israeli strikes in South Lebanon where Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah lost his life in the attacks, while six other journalists sustained injuries.

“Such incidents further highlight the urgent need for international action to protect journalists operating in conflict zones,” he said.

Sairien also holds the West accountable for any dehumanising rhetoric that may contribute to justifying the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

“Western newsrooms, which benefit significantly from the work of Gazan journalists, must take immediate steps to ensure their protection and condemn any actions that jeopardise their safety.

“The international media has a responsibility to uphold journalistic integrity, ensuring fair and accurate coverage of the ongoing conflict.

“The call for fair coverage and an end to oppression has been reiterated, and we urge our colleagues in Western media outlets to heed this call,” he said.