Last weekend, an Israel airstrike destroyed a building that housed various international
news organizations such as Al Jazeera and the Associated Press. A few days have
gone by, and journalists at Al Jazeera and elsewhere are frustrated with the lack of
solidarity from fellow media outlets.
Mediate reports that organizations and advocacy groups have made statements
questioning or criticizing the strike. However, the disappointment lies with some media
outlets with wide-ranging national and international audiences who have not.
“Of course, there should be more solidarity from other media organizations, and beyond
solidarity, there should be outrage,” one American journalist with an international outlet.
“This could have been the bureau of any of the news outlets that have since been
silent.”
“Attacking journalists is a war crime. Israel claimed Hamas operated in that building
without providing so much as a shred of evidence. They should also be condemning the
fact that Israel is barring international media from entering Gaza.”
Despite the silence from high-profile journalists and media outlets, the decision to
remain quiet and not make a statement regarding the airstrike isn’t surprising to one Al
Jazeera journalist.
“I’ve become embarrassed by much of the Western coverage of the Israeli attacks,” the
Al Jazeera staffer said. “I’m not surprised that this problematic industry is silent when
Israel targets and attacks our brave colleagues in Gaza.”
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
