Over 250 media outlets from more than 70 countries staged a
coordinated global blackout to protest the killing of over 210 journalists in
Gaza since October 7, 2023. The protest highlighted demands for open press
access to Gaza and condemned the targeting and deaths of journalists amid the
ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Coordinated Global Media Blackout Over Gaza Journalist Deaths
In an unprecedented worldwide action on September 1, 2025,
over 250 media organisations across more than 70 countries participated in a
simultaneous editorial blackout to protest the deaths of journalists in the
Gaza Strip, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The protest was
co-organised by RSF, the global campaigning group Avaaz, and the International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The blackout involved print newspapers publishing
blacked-out front pages with strong written messages, television and radio
stations interrupting their regular programming to broadcast a joint statement,
and online outlets blacking out homepages or displaying solidarity banners.
Individual journalists also voiced support across social media platforms,
further amplifying the campaign’s message.
Rising Journalist Death Toll in Gaza
The protest responded to a staggering death toll of at least
210 journalists killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 — one of the deadliest
conflicts in recent history for members of the press. The conflict erupted
following Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in thousands of
casualties and hostages.
Thibaut Bruttin, Director General of RSF, emphasised the gravity of the situation in a statement published by the NGO, saying,
“At the rate journalists are being killed in Gaza by the Israeli army, there will soon be no one left to keep you informed. This isn’t just a war against Gaza; it’s a war against journalism. Journalists are being targeted, killed, and defamed. Without them, who will alert us to the famine? Who will expose war crimes? Who will show us the genocides?”.
Recent Strikes and Journalist Victims
The protest was notably triggered by a series of deadly
Israeli strikes on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza's Khan Younis city. In these
strikes, at least 20 people were killed, including five journalists working for
Reuters, Associated Press, and Al Jazeera. A second strike immediately followed
the first as rescuers arrived, a tactic known as a “double tap.” The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) described the incident as a mistake and launched
investigations, claiming their intended target was a Hamas-run surveillance camera
near the hospital complex.
The deaths of these journalists — alongside others lost in
the conflict — have intensified calls for action and protection of media personnel
working in conflict zone.
Demands for Open Media Access to Gaza
The protest not only mourned the loss of journalists but
also demanded unrestricted press access to Gaza. Israel has imposed a near
two-year ban on foreign journalists entering the Strip, forcing Palestinian
journalists to report under dangerous conditions and heightened risks of harm
or death.
The campaign organisers urged the international community to
recognise the critical role journalists play in uncovering truths during
conflicts and the urgent need to protect media freedom in Gaza.
Israel's Response to the Protest
The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticised the media blackout
campaign, accusing participating organisations of spreading what it called
Hamas’s “campaign of lies” through the media. The ministry argued that the
coordinated protest was a biased political manifesto against Israel and
dismissed the allegations of targeting journalists as misinformation.
Solidarity Actions by Journalist Unions
Beyond the blackout, journalist unions such as the National
Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the UK and Ireland held vigils and protests to
honour the deceased journalists and demand justice. On August 11, 2025, more
than 250 people gathered in Dublin to protest, with speeches condemning the
Israeli government’s actions and calls for investigations by the International
Criminal Court (ICC) on the targeted killings.
Similarly, vigils took place in London, where union members
and parliamentary representatives demanded the UK government support
international efforts to safeguard journalists and push for a binding UN
convention on media safety in conflict zones. Laura Davison, NUJ General
Secretary, highlighted the dedication and sacrifice of journalists reporting
from Gaza, calling them
“the eyes and ears of the world on the ground”.
Importance of Journalists in Conflict Zones
Journalists reporting from Gaza have been on the front
lines, bringing to light humanitarian crises, war crimes accusations, and the human
toll of the conflict. The protest and coordinated blackout underscored the
essential role the press plays in keeping the public informed amidst war,
famine, and suffering.
Thibaut Bruttin’s message encapsulated this sentiment:
“Without journalists, who will expose critical realities like famine, war crimes, and genocides?”.
Global Reach of the Protest
The blackout included a diverse range of media outlets, from
prominent international platforms such as Al Jazeera, The Independent, La
Croix, and NPR, to smaller regional and local media organisations. This diverse
participation reflected broad international concern over press freedom and journalist
safety in Gaza.
Historical Significance of the Protest
This global newsroom protest is the first of its kind in
modern media history, with outlets on every continent halting normal news
delivery to issue a unified call for the protection of journalists and press
freedom. Observers viewed the event as an extraordinary demonstration of
solidarity within the journalism community.
This coordinated, large-scale protest and media blackout
over the killing of journalists in Gaza highlight the deep crisis faced by the
press amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. The loss of over 210 journalists,
restricted media access to Gaza, and the targeting of reporters have drawn
international outrage and urgent calls for protections and unrestricted
reporting rights in the region. The protest's scale and diversity demonstrate a
rare unity in the global media to emphasise the indispensable role of
journalism in times of war.