Asia-Pacific News Agencies Call for the Protection of Journalists In Gaza
TEHRAN (Iran), Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Offering fair and objective coverage of the news in Gaza is crucial while the conflict in Gaza rages on, but journalists working at the scene and nearby areas face formidable obstacles that put their lives in danger.
As a result, the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), the association for regional news agencies, demands that journalists in Gaza be protected.
“As OANA we affirm our commitment to fight for the safety and security of all journalists and consider the sanctity of their lives indispensable. OANA is deeply concerned about the safety of the journalists working in the region,” said a statement issued by the organisation and signed by OANA Director General Zaman Rezakhani.
OANA emphasises the crucial importance of the safety of journalists operating in the field for all respected news alliances and urges all institutions and organisations to take the highest measures to ensure the safety of journalists.
OANA has more than 40 news agencies in its membership list across the Asia-Pacific region.
As of Thursday (Oct 19), at least 21 journalists were among the more than 4,000 fatalities on Palestine and Israel's side since the conflict began on Oct 7. Tuesday’s blast at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza alone killed almost 500 people.
-- BERNAMA
