ABC calls on Israel to allow journalists to move in and out of Gaza.

Extract from ABC News

• Topic:Journalism

1 hours ago

Justin Stevens has released a statement on journalists in Gaza. (ABC News)

In short: 

The ABC has called on Israel to again allow international journalists to report independently from Gaza and allow them to move in and out of Gaza. 

ABC News director Justin Stevens said the ABC relies on freelance journalists to tell the stories on the ground in Gaza as Israeli authorities continue to block access to the region.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 186 journalists and media workers, mostly Palestinian, have been killed while gathering evidence of the war inside Gaza since October 7.

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The ABC has called on Israel to again allow international journalists to report independently from Gaza and allow them to move in and out of Gaza. 

ABC News director Justin Stevens said the ABC relies on freelance journalists to tell the stories on the ground in Gaza as Israeli authorities continue to block access to the region.

Why the Gaza story will become harder to tell

Photo shows A young boy holding an empty pot waiting for food.

There's an old adage in the media about journalists not wanting to become the story. But the lack of food inside Gaza means journalists and the story are intrinsically linked in a battle for survival.

"The ABC is the only Australian media organisation with a permanent presence in the region and we have repeatedly tried to get reporters back into Gaza," he said in a statement.

"We had reporters in Gaza prior to the 7 October terrorist attack, but since then Israeli authorities have blocked access to international media to operate independently."

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 186 journalists and media workers, mostly Palestinian, have been killed while gathering evidence of the war inside Gaza since October 7.

That number includes journalists who have done work for the ABC.

"We're now seeing the effects of food shortages on journalists we work with, which our correspondents have reported on: The hunger crisis inside Gaza will affect the news you see about the war," he said.

ABC