This is the latest installment of our press freedom round-up, recapping the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of November 8, 2024.
Senate Democrats running out of time to pass PRESS Act
The PRESS (Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act) Act, which would prevent federal agencies from using subpoenas and warrants to target journalists and their sources—except under rare, specific circumstances—still lingers in Congress, despite having passed the House of Representatives nearly one year ago.
With only weeks left to legislate, WIRED reports, press advocates are urging Senate Democrats to pass the bill before the end of the lame-duck session.
IFEX stands in solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese journalists
IFEX, a global network of more than 119 organizations working to defend and promote freedom of expression and human rights has issued a statement of solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese journalists reporting amid life-threatening risks. IFEX demands that all governments, press freedom organisations, and human rights bodies take concrete steps to ensure their protection.
“The deliberate targeting of journalists is a grave violation of International Law and a direct threat to any sort of accountability for on the ground human rights violations. Immediate, unfettered access for international journalists, alongside robust protections for all media workers, is crucial in ending this campaign against the truth and those who risk their lives to document it.”
Two more Palestinian journalists murdered in Gaza City
Two Palestinian journalists, siblings Ahmad Abu Sakhil and Zahra Abu Sakhil, have been killed in an Israeli attack on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, rising the number of journalists killed to 188.
Journalists in Gaza continue to face unprecedented risks as they try to cover the conflict, including Israeli airstrikes, famine, displacement, destruction and deliberate targeting.