CPJ Urges Open Access for Reporters Covering Crisis in Gaza

New York, June 5, 2025—A coalition of over 130 international leaders from news and press freedom groups urgently urged governments and global institutions to grant immediate, independent access to journalists from outside Gaza. This appeal, led by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), condemns the 20-month exclusion of international media from the region. It emphasizes the protection of local Palestinian journalists, who have been courageously reporting amid relentless violence, displacement, and scarcity. Since the conflict’s inception, 181 journalist fatalities have occurred, primarily at the hands of Israeli forces, establishing it as the deadliest battleground for the press since CPJ began its records in 1992. "Restoring access and safeguarding journalists’ rights is essential for transparency," stated CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. The complete letter and signatory details are accessible in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.