‘Deadliest month’ for journalists: CPJ on Israeli attacks in Gaza

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has reported the month following October 7 attacks has been the deadliest for journalists and media workers since CPJ began gathering data in 1992.

CPJ’s “preliminary investigations” reveals that as of November 21, at least 50 journalists and media workers are among the 14,000 plus people killed since October 7.

The deadliest day for journalists was October 7 itself as six journalists were killed; followed by November 18, the second-deadliest day when five were killed.

CPJ highlights that up until November 21:

• 50 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 45 Palestinian, four Israeli, and one Lebanese.
• 11 journalists were reported injured.
• Three journalists were reported missing.
• 18 journalists were reported arrested.
• Multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship, and killings of family members has also been recorded.

CPJ is also probing a number of unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, being missing, detained, hurt, or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes.

“CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” states Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator.

“Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heart-breaking conflict. Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats. Many have lost colleagues, families, and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit.”