As we mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) on November 2, DiEM25 calls upon everyone to stand in solidarity with journalists facing targeted violence, especially those covering the current crisis in Gaza. We stand resolute in condemning Israel’s targeted killings of journalists in Gaza as part of an ongoing assault on truth and justice. Over 130 journalists have lost their lives, and these murders cannot remain unanswered.

International law demands that media outlets be held accountable if they contribute, knowingly or through negligence, to violent incitement. Many mainstream media organisations have failed in this responsibility, becoming complicit by underreporting, downplaying, or outright omitting critical facts. Through this neglect, some media entities have effectively served as mouthpieces for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), presenting a filtered narrative that conceals the true extent of violence and the explicit calls for aggression by Israeli leaders. This complicity is a serious violation of the ethics and duties inherent in responsible journalism.

In Israel’s ongoing onslaught against Palestine, journalists have faced substantial risks, with many tragically losing their lives. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), over 130 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon since October 7, 2023, making it the deadliest period for journalists since the organisation began gathering data in 1992.

Globally, journalists remain highly vulnerable to violence. As of recent reports, CPJ found that in 2023 alone, over 70 journalists were killed worldwide, many targeted for their work in conflict zones or for investigating sensitive issues. This underscores the inherent risks for media professionals, who face arrest, assault, or even death while seeking to report on critical issues. Hundreds of journalists are also regularly imprisoned globally, with 363 recorded in 2022 alone due to their work, illustrating the persistent threats that journalists confront across the world.

Our co-founder Yanis Varoufakis said: “Killing journalists in Gaza is a ruthless attempt to strangle the truth, but perhaps even more damning is the role of legacy media in whitewashing Israel’s genocidal assault on Palestinians.

“If mainstream outlets choose to avert their gaze, we must champion independent voices and support those who dare to confront this horror. Truth is our last line of defence – and we must defend it fiercely, in defiance of the propaganda machine enabling these crimes.”

On this day, we call upon all to join in raising awareness and demanding accountability. We urge supporters across Europe to gather outside Israeli embassies, German embassies, or offices of media outlets such as Axel Springer. Here are ways to participate and amplify our call:

• When: November 2, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
  Where: Outside local Israeli embassies, German embassies, or Axel Springer media offices

Suggested signs and messages:

• “Media Complicit in Genocide”
• “Journalists Are Not Targets”
• “Journalism Should Expose Genocide, Not Enable It!”

Suggested actions:

• Wear “PRESS” badges with red tape over your mouth, symbolizing the silencing of journalists
• Gather in front of notable landmarks or government buildings for 10-15 minutes to show unified solidarity
• For those willing to stay longer, read aloud the names of fallen journalists and share their stories to highlight the heavy toll on those dedicated to reporting truth

We aim to send a message that the deaths of journalists, especially those lost in Gaza, must not go unnoticed. Their bravery in the face of danger should inspire us to demand better, fairer reporting from all media and accountability for those who instead fuel the violence.

We stand firm in our commitment to uphold the voices of journalists worldwide and we invite you to join us in this Europe-wide call to action in honour of journalists whose lives were taken in the pursuit of truth.

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