The occasion serves as a significant milestone in honouring the contributions of media professionals, particularly those who make profound sacrifices in pursuit of truth and in defence of freedom of expression amid global challenges and adversities.
On this occasion, His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Media and Communication Sector of the League of Arab States, affirmed that the observance of this day affirms the vital role of a free and independent press in fostering democratic communities and enhancing public awareness. He noted the importance of maintaining a balanced approach that upholds journalistic ethics and codes of conduct while ensuring a safe professional environment that safeguards freedom of expression and the right to access information. This balance, he added, is essential to preserving the integrity of the media landscape—anchored in the dual responsibility of protecting free expression and curbing disinformation and violations of freedoms.
Ambassador Khattabi stated that this year’s commemoration comes under exceptionally grave circumstances, marked by the ongoing brutal Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and daily violations across the occupied Palestinian territories, which have resulted in thousands of civilian casualties—predominantly women and children—alongside a complete blockade, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and security stifling of press freedoms. These violations include the barring of international media from entering the Gaza Strip and the targeted killing of an unprecedented number of Palestinian journalists—209 media professionals—in a flagrant breach of international legal conventions.
The Ambassador commended the efforts of free and credible media institutions that have resisted false Israeli narratives. He called for serious engagement in developing effective mechanisms to ensure the protection of journalists and media professionals operating in conflict and war zones. This, he stated, must be pursued through an update of the existing legislative frameworks, adapted to contemporary challenges and implemented through multilateral cooperation with international and regional bodies. The objective is to establish a robust legal architecture that provides journalists with the necessary guarantees to ensure their physical protection and moral integrity.
