We like to say journalism is not a crime. But in Palestine, it is.
So a group of Canadian journalists have decided we have a responsibility to stand with our colleagues, even if our newsrooms, unions and press freedom organizations won’t.
We’re done staying silent about Israel’s targeting of our colleagues and our media’s complicity in this genocide — and we’re doing something about it.
Introducing: Canadian Journalists for Justice in Palestine.
I’m proud to share that yesterday, I joined this initiative. I’m late to the game — I only heard about it because they just went public. It was founded and has been spearheaded by several incredible journalists, many of them journalists of colour.
Sharon Nadeem, Samira Mohyeddin, Emma Arkell, Mary Newman and Inori Roy, among others who aren’t public-facing.
Honestly, the founding members of our organization shouldn’t have had to start this.
There are several press freedom organizations in Canada, unions, and newsrooms that should have used their voices
But instead, those groups have often opted for deafening silence.
Speaking personally, I can tell you there is a serious issue with flagrant cowardice from many Canadian media institutions.
I remember I attended a press freedom luncheon last year.
The room was a who’s who of Canadian journalism. So many big names were there. I was intimidated to be there, honestly.
But at this event, months into a genocide where Israel had already killed many Palestinian journalists, no one mentioned these journalists in Gaza.
During the entire luncheon.
Not one person.
Despite having lots to say, rightfully, about repression in places like Russia.
Now, since October 8 2023, 185 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. That figure would already make this the deadliest period for journalists on record.
But the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate puts the number even higher, at 226.
“Each time a journalist is killed, the world loses a vital voice, and another barrier is erected between the public and the truth,” the CCJP statement reads.
“Today, we remind ourselves and our peers across the country of our ethical and professional duties: to report courageously, to challenge power unequivocally, and to fiercely protect the integrity of our profession and the safety of our colleagues.
The world is watching, and history will remember how we respond.”
Thank you for listening. ❤️
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