Skip to main content
Gaza’s journalists are far more likely to die than combat soldiers
We are seeing one of the most bloody and brutal suppressions of free speech in the modern era, warns TIM DAWSON of the International Federation of Journalists
A convoy of Israeli troops moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, January 4, 2024

THE horrific death toll among Palestinian journalists is staggering. Less easy to comprehend is just how exceptional is the scale of slaughter. So, for context, I compared the most up-to-date lists of the dead with the mortality rate among combatants in recent wars — and the results are truly shocking.

At the start of the Israel-Gaza war, there were approximately 1,000 journalists working in the enclave. Movement in and out of Gaza has been severely restricted for many years, so we know that there were no international journalists among them, although some are employees of international news platforms. 

Since October 7, the deaths of Palestinian journalists has been an almost daily occurance. There are various measures of the total media death toll, the International Federation of Journalists puts to total as 75 — but with slightly different methodologies, other tallies reach just over 100. 

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
SLAIN BY IDF: Shireen Abu Akleh
Features / 9 August 2024
9 August 2024
The wholesale murder by Israel's armed forces of journalists in Gaza is a cause for international concern, writes TIM DAWSON
VINDICATED: Journalists Barry McCaffrey (left) and Trevor Bi
Features / 19 July 2024
19 July 2024
TIM DAWSON looks at how obsessive police surveillance of journalists undermines the very essence of democracy
Features / 25 June 2024
25 June 2024
At long last the WikiLeaks founder is free. For all those who care about freedom of speech it’s time to celebrate, writes TIM DAWSON of the International Federation of Journalists
Stella Assange, the wife of Julian Assange, speaks during a
Britain / 20 May 2024
20 May 2024
Similar stories
Displaced Palestinians inspect their tents destroyed by Isra
Features / 7 October 2024
7 October 2024
One year on from October 7 2023, the general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, ANTHONY BELLANGER, deplores the paralysis of the UN and denounces the international community’s lack of action
SLAIN BY IDF: Shireen Abu Akleh
Features / 9 August 2024
9 August 2024
The wholesale murder by Israel's armed forces of journalists in Gaza is a cause for international concern, writes TIM DAWSON
THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH: mural saluting Motaz Az
Features / 14 May 2024
14 May 2024
RAMZY BAROUD applauds Unesco's recognition of Palestinian journalists covering the war in Gaza and puts into context their fearless informative reporting