A group of journalists covering the conflict in southern Lebanon in early October was hit by a missile. Reuters news agency journalist Issam Abdallah died instantly, while six other journalists from Reuters, AFP and Al Jazeera who were both covering clashes on the border of Lebanon and Israel on October 13 were seriously injured.
According to Jonathan Dagher, head of the Middle East bureau for Reporters Without Borders (RSF), after conducting an in-depth investigation by interviewing a number of eyewitnesses and reviewing video footage, it was discovered that the group of journalists was clearly targeted.
“We managed to prove that the location where the journalists were in Alma Shaab was clearly targeted by not just one, but two missiles, at a distance of about 37-38 seconds from each other,” said Dagher.
According to him, the attack came from the east, from the direction of the Israeli border.
“The findings of this investigation are very important because they show that the attack that killed Issam Abdallah was not an accident. It is clear that the attack targeted the location where the journalists were,” he added.
Dagher acknowledged that there was not enough evidence at this time to say that the group was specifically targeted because they were journalists. Although the group, he said, had worn bulletproof vests and helmets emblazoned with “PERS” in large letters, so did the car they were traveling in.
A number of Lebanese journalists hold a photo of the late Reuters video journalist, Issam Abdallah, during a demonstration in front of the UN headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, October 15, 2023. Issam was killed by Israeli rocket fire while covering clashes on the Lebanese border. (Photo: Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)
The Israeli army insisted that its troops only responded to anti-tank missiles fired by the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, accompanied by information about “terrorist infiltration into Israeli territory” on October 13.
The Reuters news agency was unmoved by the Israeli military’s statement.
Reuters spokeswoman Heather Carpenter told the Associated Press that it had asked Israeli authorities to conduct a transparent investigation to find out what really happened.
Over 350 Journalists Killed 2014-2023
The murder of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah is one of hundreds of incidents that have occurred since the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2014 designated November 2 as the Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Worldwide. This figure does not include the 14 journalists who were killed in the Israel-Hamas war which has been raging since October 7.
“The week following the tragic events on 7 October was marked as the worst period of killing of journalists in the last ten years because 14 journalists lost their lives in the conflict during the past three weeks alone,” said Tawfik Tulissi, Assistant Director of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for Communication and Information Affairs, in a panel discussion in Washington DC, United States (US), Thursday (2/11).
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted that since the UN declared this special day in 2014 until now, more than 350 journalists have been killed.
Meanwhile, data from the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists is even more disturbing. More than 1,600 journalists were killed between 2006 and 2023, of which nine out of ten murder cases have not yet been legally resolved and the perpetrators have not been punished.
“UNESCO urges an end to impunity or impunity for perpetrators, which has increasingly led to more killings and acts of violence, often as a result of worsening conflict and the breakdown of the legal and judicial system,” said Tulisi.
Fredid Roman’s photo is taped to a wall outside the Mexican Attorney General’s office in Mexico City, August 24, 2022. Fredid is the 15th Mexican journalist to be murdered in 2022. (Photo: Eduardo Verdugo/AP Photo)
Tulissi admitted that compared to ten years ago, the level of impunity has improved to 86 percent now, from 95 percent around 2013.
“This is all thanks to the ongoing campaign by the UN and its partners to end impunity and action plans for the safety of journalists. “Nevertheless, this figure of 86 percent remains high and we must work hard to reduce it,” he said.
Political Parties Often Commit Violence
Speaking at the same forum, Chairman of the Legal and Legislative Commission of the Press Council, Arif Zulkifli, together with partners in the media, are diligently campaigning continuously for the urgency of seeking legal accountability for anyone who commits violence, intimidation and journalists.
Arif explained that last September, his party conducted a survey of journalists in 17 provinces. In the survey, the Press Council asked about the forms of violence that journalists most often experience.
“They answered threats and intimidation, banning coverage, physical attacks, confiscation of work equipment and digital attacks. Then when asked who the perpetrators were? They mentioned political parties, campaign success teams, the party candidates concerned, their supporters and the police. They were also able to explain clearly detailed forms of violence,” explained Arif.
Arif further expressed his concern over the potential for violent acts to occur at the democracy party in February.
“With 18 political parties taking part in the election, the potential for violence does not disappear. “And it generally occurs in remote areas far from supervision,” said Arif.
In its written statement, UNESCO reiterated its commitment to end impunity for crimes against journalists, and called on the global community to unite when holding accountable those who deliberately and carry out attacks, violence, harassment and intimidation against journalists. (em/lt)