The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned the killing of journalists in Gaza, describing the act as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and a direct assault on press freedom.
In a statement signed by the Guild’s President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the editors said the killing of five journalists
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHusam al-Masri (Reuters), Mariam Dagga (AP freelance), Mohammad Salama (Al Jazeera), Ahmed Abu Aziz (Middle East Eye), and Moaz Abu Taha constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I.
“The deliberate targeting of journalists in conflict zones is unacceptable and must not be allowed to stand. Journalists are not combatants; they are messengers of truth who ensure the world knows what is happening on the ground,” the statement read.
The Guild expressed deep concern about the rising hostility faced by media professionals globally, stressing that journalists risk their lives daily to provide accurate information to the public.
“The killings of journalists in Gaza represent not only a direct attack on press freedom but also a grave assault on humanity’s collective conscience,” the editors said. “This is a war crime, and those responsible must be held to account.”
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The NGE urged international organisations, governments, and human rights institutions to take urgent action to protect journalists and enforce accountability against perpetrators of such crimes.
Beyond the Gaza killings, the Guild also noted growing incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists in Nigeria, insisting that any attempt to silence the press undermines democracy and erodes public trust.
“As editors, we stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Gaza and around the world who continue to work under fire, intimidation, and harassment. Their courage is a reminder of the vital role of the press in safeguarding freedom and justice,” the Guild stated.
The NGE reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom both within Nigeria and internationally, vowing to continue speaking out against any assault on media professionals.
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