FG Denounces Israel’s Attacks in Gaza Against Journalists
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has denounced the Israeli security forces’ systematic and persistent targeting of journalists during the current Gaza battle.
In a statement released by his Special Assistant (Media), Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris emphasized that the conduct constituted an egregious infringement of human rights and journalistic freedom.
Ibrahim claims that Idris made the comments during his speech at the Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers, which was held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey. The topic of the speech was “Israeli Government’s Disinformation and Hostilities Against Journalists During the Israeli Occupation of Palestine.”
Idris, who was accompanied by Ambassador Zayyad Abdul-Salam, Head of Mission of the Nigerian Embassy in Turkey, stated that since the start of the conflict, journalists have been the targets of violence, threats, harassment, and even death for doing their job as public information providers and defenders of justice and truth.
Idris states, “As per the data furnished by the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), about 88 media professionals and journalists have lost their lives since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023.
“It is our duty as Information Ministers representing the member states of the Islamic Conference to strongly denounce these crimes and censorship against journalists carrying out their lawful duties in Palestine.” We must remain steadfast in our support of our media colleagues who put their lives in danger every day to report on the humanitarian catastrophe in occupied Palestine and to provide a voice to the voiceless.
Idris, however, blasted any attempt to distort the facts and whitewash the humanitarian situation in Palestine and urged his colleagues to constantly insist that the truth be protected at all times by demanding a suitable climate to enable the media to carry out their jobs.
In order to raise the voices of journalists who bravely report on the crimes and violations of human rights committed against the Palestinian people, he counselled the ministers to present at the conference to investigate strategic communication, advocacy, and cooperation.
“A dedication to maintaining the values of press freedom, freedom of speech, and the right to knowledge must be at the core of our reaction. The foundations of democracy and sound government are these fundamental human rights protected by international law. We can’t let people who want to stifle criticism and steer the narrative step on them,” Idris said.
The Minister also urged an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza and reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict that protects and upholds the sovereignty and rights of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
Credit: Allschoolabs, Nairaland
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