Discussion: Human Rights and Press Freedom in Gaza and the Palestinian Territories

Since October 2023, the eyes of the world have been on Gaza. Yet obtaining verified information from the war zone remains particularly challenging. Since the beginning of the conflict, foreign journalists have faced severe restrictions on access to Gaza, making the work of Palestinian journalists and local fixers essential to documenting the situation on the ground.

The documentary Inside Gaza, directed by Hélène Lam Trong and co-produced by Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Reporters Without Borders, offers an unprecedented insight into the remarkable work and unbearable daily reality of journalists in Gaza, as well as the fundamental principle underpinning their mission: the freedom to inform.

 Palestinian journalists on the ground, including members of the AFP team in Gaza, have continued to report from the field under extremely dangerous conditions, risking their lives amid an unprecedented scale of deadly attacks against journalists and media professionals. In this context, Inside Gaza puts a human face on a fundamental democratic question: how can the right to information be protected when access to information itself is under threat?

As violence against Palestinian civilians and human rights violations have reached unprecedented levels, four experts will examine the role of journalists and media organizations, as well as the challenges they face:

• Mohammed Abed, press photographer for AFP, who contributed to the documentary Inside Gaza
• Kaius Niemi, Reporters Without Borders Finland
• Anna Korkmann, correspondent for Agence France-Presse (AFP)
• Frank Johansson, Amnesty Finland

During the discussion, our speakers will explore key issues surrounding human rights and press freedom in Gaza and the Palestinian Territories. They will share their perspectives and experiences on the challenges of reporting from the region and the role of journalism in documenting the conflict.

The event will be held in English.

Join us for an in-depth discussion of the human, media and political issues at the heart of one of the world’s most pressing current affairs.