Press Freedom Under Siege: The Plight of Palestinian Journalists and Media
Introduction
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 has launched an investigation into attacks against Palestinian journalists and media personnel, the deliberate destruction of media infrastructure in Gaza, and the spread of narratives that may serve to justify or incite international crimes. As part of this critical consultation, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has submitted a detailed document outlining a dramatic worsening of press freedom and free expression since October 2023.
The EFF’s submission highlights an alarming increase in censorship, a wave of journalist killings, and an already pervasive system of surveillance and control targeting Palestinians. The submission raises three specific areas of concern:
- Government takedown requests
- Disinformation and content moderation
- Attacks on internet infrastructure
The deliberate digital isolation of the Palestinian people continues to escalate, and addressing this is essential for protecting fundamental human rights worldwide.
The Deterioration of Press Freedom Since October 2023
The period after October 2023 has witnessed an unprecedented assault on the media landscape in Palestine. Journalists, who are already operating under extreme conditions, now face even greater threats. The EFF’s submission documents a sharp rise in censorship orders, both from Israeli authorities and through digital platforms. Social media companies have been pressured to remove content that simply reports on Palestinian experiences or criticizes Israeli policies.
Censorship and Killings of Journalists
The most egregious development is the wave of killings of Palestinian journalists. Since October 2023, numerous reporters have been killed while covering the conflict in Gaza. Many more have been injured, detained, or intimidated. The EFF notes that these attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern aimed at silencing critical voices. Journalists are targeted not only for their reporting but also for their role in documenting human rights abuses, which makes them a direct threat to the official narratives.
Furthermore, the destruction of media infrastructure—offices, broadcasting equipment, and transmission towers—has been systematic. This amounts to a deliberate effort to erase the media’s ability to function, leaving the world with only curated information.
Government Takedown Requests and Content Moderation
The EFF’s submission details an increase in government takedown requests targeting Palestinian digital content. These demands often come from Israel and other states, requesting that social media platforms remove posts that are deemed “inciteful” or “terrorist-related.” However, these requests are frequently overly broad, suppressing legitimate journalistic work and human rights reporting. The submission argues that such requests violate international standards on freedom of expression and create a chilling effect on all Palestinian voices.
Content moderation by major tech companies exacerbates the problem. Algorithms and human moderators, often lacking context, flag and remove content related to Palestine. This includes videos of the destruction, reports on casualties, and even historical references. The EFF’s report highlights that this uneven enforcement disproportionately affects Palestinian media outlets and independent journalists, reducing their visibility and undermining their ability to tell their own stories.
Attacks on Internet Infrastructure
A particularly alarming development is the direct assault on internet infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank. The EFF’s submission documents deliberate disruptions to internet connectivity, including the destruction of fiber optic cables, server hubs, and mobile towers. These attacks are not collateral damage but appear to be tactical moves to digitally isolate the Palestinian population. During the most intense periods of fighting, Gaza experienced almost total internet blackouts, cutting off communication between journalists, hospitals, and humanitarian agencies.
This digital isolation prevents journalists from uploading footage, filing reports, or contacting international media. It also blocks families from reaching loved ones and emergency services from coordinating. The UN Special Rapporteur’s study should investigate these infrastructure attacks as part of a broader pattern of collective punishment.
The Need for International Action
The EFF’s submission is a stark reminder that press freedom in Palestine is at a breaking point. The ongoing censorship, killings, and destruction of media infrastructure demand a global response. The UN Special Rapporteur’s study is a crucial step, but it must lead to concrete actions:
- Call for an immediate cessation of attacks on journalists and media facilities.
- Demand that platforms stop yielding to government takedown requests that violate free expression.
- Invest in rebuilding internet infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
Protecting journalists is not just about upholding a profession; it is about preserving the right to truth in a time of conflict. Without independent reporting, international crimes may be committed in the shadows. The EFF’s full submission provides a detailed roadmap for what must be done. Read the briefing in full to understand the urgency and scope of the crisis.