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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed alarm Monday over new directives issued by Israeli authorities ordering international media to obtain prior approval from the military censor before broadcasting news from combat zones or missile impact areas in Israel.
The move represents a significant escalation in efforts to control wartime reporting. CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah voiced deep concern over the “escalating efforts to suppress press freedom through censorship and intimidation,” emphasizing that silencing the press “deprives the world of a clear, unfiltered view of the reality unfolding in the region.”
The Union of Journalists in Israel also denounced the move. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the decision, arguing it damages Israeli diplomacy and is unenforceable considering smartphone ubiquity.
These new directives present a significant challenge for international outlets. The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the “disturbing wave of attacks targeting Palestinian [and] Israeli journalists” and called on Israeli authorities to uphold press freedom. The Foreign Press Association also highlighted an “unprecedented ban preventing foreign journalists from entering” Gaza, which has “severely hindered independent reporting.”
On June 18, Israeli Defense Forces censors issued an order requiring anyone broadcasting the aftermath of Iranian attacks on Israeli military sites to obtain prior army approval. The order extends to individuals posting on social media accounts. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir informed foreign journalists via email that all live and recorded coverage must be granted written approval from the military censor. Broadcasting location or descriptive information, without military authorization, will be considered a criminal offense. Police are authorized to confiscate equipment, revoke press credentials, and detain journalists or photographers who violate these rules.
The ministers stated that these measures aim to prevent “media chaos during wartime” and ensure that “freedom of the press does not override the security of our citizens and soldiers.” They claimed the move follows “successful, coordinated enforcement” against Al Jazeera and other outlets accused of violating censorship rules and endangering national security. The Government Press Office (GPO) clarified that approval covers “both the location and how it is described.”
Enforcement has already begun through police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). Independent reports state that police have confiscated camera equipment and confronted journalists at rocket impact sites in Beersheba, Holon, and Ramat Gan. On June 16, Israeli police allegedly raided a hotel in Haifa where Palestinian journalists were covering attacks, confiscated equipment, and launched an investigation. Police have documented themselves obstructing camera views, with these images later aired.
According to CPJ, Israeli forces have killed roughly 185 journalists in Palestinian territory since October 2023. Other groups have also alerted to Israel’s fading press freedoms, as the country continues to use broad legal interpretations to limit speech in the name of national security.
CPJ continues to monitor other press freedom concerns, including the detention of journalist Mario Guevara and the denial of entry to Australian writer Alistair Kitchen into the U.S.
The post Israel imposes sweeping censorship on foreign media appeared first on JURIST - News.
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The move represents a significant escalation in efforts to control wartime reporting. CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah voiced deep concern over the “escalating efforts to suppress press freedom through censorship and intimidation,” emphasizing that silencing the press “deprives the world of a clear, unfiltered view of the reality unfolding in the region.”
The Union of Journalists in Israel also denounced the move. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the decision, arguing it damages Israeli diplomacy and is unenforceable considering smartphone ubiquity.
These new directives present a significant challenge for international outlets. The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the “disturbing wave of attacks targeting Palestinian [and] Israeli journalists” and called on Israeli authorities to uphold press freedom. The Foreign Press Association also highlighted an “unprecedented ban preventing foreign journalists from entering” Gaza, which has “severely hindered independent reporting.”
On June 18, Israeli Defense Forces censors issued an order requiring anyone broadcasting the aftermath of Iranian attacks on Israeli military sites to obtain prior army approval. The order extends to individuals posting on social media accounts. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir informed foreign journalists via email that all live and recorded coverage must be granted written approval from the military censor. Broadcasting location or descriptive information, without military authorization, will be considered a criminal offense. Police are authorized to confiscate equipment, revoke press credentials, and detain journalists or photographers who violate these rules.
The ministers stated that these measures aim to prevent “media chaos during wartime” and ensure that “freedom of the press does not override the security of our citizens and soldiers.” They claimed the move follows “successful, coordinated enforcement” against Al Jazeera and other outlets accused of violating censorship rules and endangering national security. The Government Press Office (GPO) clarified that approval covers “both the location and how it is described.”
Enforcement has already begun through police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). Independent reports state that police have confiscated camera equipment and confronted journalists at rocket impact sites in Beersheba, Holon, and Ramat Gan. On June 16, Israeli police allegedly raided a hotel in Haifa where Palestinian journalists were covering attacks, confiscated equipment, and launched an investigation. Police have documented themselves obstructing camera views, with these images later aired.
According to CPJ, Israeli forces have killed roughly 185 journalists in Palestinian territory since October 2023. Other groups have also alerted to Israel’s fading press freedoms, as the country continues to use broad legal interpretations to limit speech in the name of national security.
CPJ continues to monitor other press freedom concerns, including the detention of journalist Mario Guevara and the denial of entry to Australian writer Alistair Kitchen into the U.S.
The post Israel imposes sweeping censorship on foreign media appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.