In a world where the right to inform is sacred, silence in the face of mass slaughter becomes complicity. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, has called on journalists globally to raise their voices against what she described as an ongoing genocide in Gaza. Her plea follows a rare and powerful public statement by French press unions, published in Le Monde, denouncing the near-total media blackout on Gaza and the systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists.

According to international watchdogs including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, nearly 200 Palestinian media workers have been killed since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023. Many were wearing clearly marked "Press" vests and helmets. Several had received threats from Israeli military officials prior to their deaths. Others were accused without evidence of belonging to armed groups — accusations that, in practice, appear to serve as posthumous justifications for their killings.

This chilling reality marks the deadliest period for journalists in modern history. Yet, beyond the numbers lies a deeper tragedy: these reporters were Gaza's voice to the world, often working with limited resources and under relentless bombardment. In their final moments, they held not weapons, but microphones and cameras — tools of truth.

Albanese praised the French initiative but questioned why more journalists had not yet denounced the massacre of their Palestinian peers. The answer may lie in fear, political pressure, or simple indifference. But for Palestinian journalists on the ground, silence is not an option. They continue, with unimaginable courage, to document the devastation — even as they become its victims.

Their determination is not only an act of resistance but a reminder of journalism’s core purpose: to bear witness, especially when the world chooses to look away.