Italian Journalists call for freedom of information regarding Gaza

A group of Italian journalists, representatives of media unions and organizations, gathered at the Roman Press Association in Rome to discuss how the glenoidal war in the Gaza Strip has been covered with bias by the media.

The initiative was organized by the No Gag Network, a group that advocates for freedom of expression in Italy, as Palestinian and international journalists trapped in the coastal territory continue to be slaughtered by the Israeli occupation forces.

As of today, we don't know if these journalists have been executed or they have been killed in their homes together with their beloved ones during the Israeli bombardments, and I ask you, would that make any difference? It is horrific anyway.

Alessandra Costante, Italian National Press Federation

• Italian journalists call for freedom of information in the Gaza Strip
  

  Italian journalists call for freedom of information in the Gaza Strip

  A number of Italian journalists are calling for freedom of information in the Gaza Strip.

During the meeting, journalists agreed that a war needs field reporting, condemning Israel's refusal to heed calls to allow independent reporters to access Gaza for direct testimony.

Since October 9th the 2.3 million residents of Gaza have been experiencing a devastating complete communications blackout.

Killing a journalist is a war crime, and we call on the International Criminal Court to proceed with the examination into what's happening in Gaza.

Alfio Nicotra, Journalist

• Italians rally against ‘Israeli genocide in Palestine’
  

  Italians rally against ‘Israeli genocide in Palestine’

  About ten thousand people flooded the streets of Rome to stage a rally against what they call the ‘genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.’

The Italian journalists also re-launched a petition already signed by 200 French, Palestinian, and Lebanese journalists demanding access to Gaza and the protection of journalists covering the Israeli onslaught on the Strip.

Freedom of expression has been buried under Gaza's rubble, only journalists embedded with the IDF are in Gaza, operating under the preservation of Israeli commanders in the field.

Luisa Morgantini, Former EU Parliament Vice-President

Speaking of freedom of expression, the future of journalism in Italy looks bleak.

• Italians hold vigil in Rome for victims of Gaza hospital attack
  

  Italians hold vigil in Rome for victims of Gaza hospital attack

  A large number of Italians held a vigil in Rome on Wednesday after a deadly Israeli strike at a Gaza hospital.

There has been a big question mark over the credibility of Italian media outlets in recent years as the sharp divide between the mainstream media and a large chunk of public opinion has been growing deeper.

The divide is getting deeper and deeper. Much of the public opinion does not follow mainstream TVs and newspapers anymore. They have totally lost trust in them. And it is understandable. The media keeps seeing the conflict in Gaza started on October 7th.

Alberto Negri, Journalist and Geopolitical Analyst

Meanwhile, Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has urged Israel to use the four day ceasefire in Gaza to carefully consider what the international perception is of its offensive against the strip.

• Israel and Hamas ceasefire
  

  Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire

  The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, says it has agreed to a four day humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip.

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