Paris, In recognition of their courageous reporting amid conflict, Palestinian journalists covering the ongoing strife in Gaza have been awarded the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. The decision highlights the severe risks faced by media professionals in conflict zones.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, since October 7, 2023, UNESCO has condemned the deaths of 26 journalists and media workers in Gaza, with additional cases under review. The organization is actively supporting journalists in various global hotspots by providing essential supplies, establishing safe working spaces, and offering emergency grants, as part of its broader efforts to promote journalist safety and combat impunity.
UNESCO’s initiatives include distributing protective equipment, offering training in conflict zones such as Haiti, Ukraine, Sudan, and supporting independent media in Afghanistan. These efforts are integral to the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.