Press Freedom Watchdog Reviews Database of Slain Journalists in Gaza
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has announced a comprehensive review of its documentation process for journalists killed in war zones. This decision follows the publication of obituaries for several Palestinian militants who had previously been registered as journalists.
The move comes after the press freedom watchdog accidentally included several military personnel in its list of journalists killed in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Following the release of official obituaries by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, it was revealed that these individuals were actively operating as militants. Under international law, members of the media—particularly war correspondents in conflict zones—are granted protected status as civilians, provided they do not actively participate in hostilities.
Jodie Ginsberg, Chief Executive Officer of the Committee to Protect Journalists, stated in an official announcement: “CPJ has always been clear that if there is evidence that someone was participating in hostilities or inciting imminent violence, we do not include them in our data. This approach is aligned with international humanitarian law, which treats journalists affiliated with non-state groups as civilians as long as they are not directly participating in hostilities.”
The press freedom group noted that by releasing these obituaries, Hamas and Islamic Jihad effectively confirmed that several of their military personnel, previously reported as slain “journalists” in the Gaza war, were in fact combatants. Consequently, the organization has removed 8 individuals from its Gaza casualties database due to their “participation in hostilities.”
In addition, 12 other individuals were removed from the list for separate reasons, as investigations revealed they were either not journalists, were not killed on media assignments, or were found to be alive after initially being reported missing. According to the committee, the current tally of journalists and media workers killed by Israel in Gaza, or while in Israeli detention since October 7, 2023, stands at 209.
Ginsberg stated that the review process is expected to conclude by July, during which all remaining names on the list of casualties will be re-evaluated to ensure they were not involved in hostilities at the time of their death. The primary goal of this effort is to protect legitimate journalists and media professionals operating in war zones.
The CPJ Chief Executive concluded: “CPJ strongly condemns the passing off of militants as journalists or the misuse of press insignia and vests. Such actions place at risk all of those genuine journalists who are legitimately trying to cover the news.”
