Commemorating World Press Freedom Day: Honoring Martyred Journalists in Gaza
Kabul-On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a prominent media and human rights analyst, issued a statement paying tribute to the sacrifices made by journalists and media workers who risked their lives to cover the war in Gaza and expose the grim realities of the genocide against Palestinians by the Israeli regime.
In his statement, Baghaei said: “World Press Freedom Day is a reminder of the bravery and courage of journalists, photographers, and cameramen who, over the past two years, have risked their lives to reflect the realities of the Gaza war and expose the crimes of the occupying regime.”
Referring to the crucial role played by media professionals in documenting the pain and suffering of the Palestinian people, he added: “We honor over 200 journalists, videographers, and media personnel who recorded and reported on war crimes, occupation, and policies of mass killing in Gaza. Many of them became victims of the very genocide they sought to expose.”
Baghaei further emphasized that the United States and other nations supporting the Israeli regime are complicit in these atrocities and must be held accountable before international institutions and public opinion.
He noted that freedom of the press only holds meaning when there is genuine support for journalists operating in war zones and crisis areas where their lives are constantly at risk.
World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, serves as a moment for reflecting on the conditions of journalists, reaffirming the duty to protect them, and emphasizing the universal right to access information.
Can global silence in the face of journalist killings help strengthen justice and truth in media, or will it further threaten them? Time will tell.
Weezharoz
