A statement from the EBU

The EBU stands firmly in support of a call for “free and unhindered” access to Gaza for foreign media.

We are joining more than 50 journalists working for prominent media outlets, including the BBC (an EBU Member) and CNN, in calling on the Israeli government and Egyptian authorities to allow international journalists to travel without restriction and report from Gaza, including the vital Rafah crossing.

Unrestricted access to information is fundamental to public understanding of this complex conflict, and the impact of misinformation and disinformation is exacerbated by the lack of independent media coverage on the ground. 

Journalists working in the region are also facing unacceptable risks. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 83 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. The failure to respect the safety of journalists poses serious threats to democracy and human rights.

Liz Corbin, EBU Deputy Director Media/Head of News, said : “Only by granting unhindered media access to Gaza can the reality of the situation there be truly understood. Failure to do so undermines credible reporting of this conflict and jeopardizes the safety of journalists. We fully support this call for urgent action by our international colleagues and remain committed to defending press freedom and the safety of all journalists.”