FG condemns attacks on journalists covering Israeli-Hamas war

The federal government has condemned the attacks on journalists in the Israeli-Hamas conflict that have left many dead and thousands displaced.

Israel has been waging war on Hamas after the group attacked the Jewish nation in October 2023.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, spoke in Istanbul, the capital of Turkey on Saturday, at a session of the Islamic conference of information ministers.

Represented by Zayyad Abdul-Salam, head of Nigeria’s mission to Turkey, the minister said journalists have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, violence, and death for just doing their jobs.

“From the statistics provided by the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), about 88 journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023,” he said.

“As Ministers of Information representing member states of the Islamic Conference, it is incumbent upon us to condemn in the strongest terms these atrocities and censorship against journalists performing their legitimate duties in Palestine.

“We must stand firm in solidarity with our colleagues in the media who risk their lives daily to report the humanitarian crisis in Palestine under occupation and to give voice to the voiceless.

“At the heart of our response must be a commitment to upholding the principles of press freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to information.

“These fundamental human rights enshrined in international law constitute essential pillars of democracy and good governance. We cannot allow them to be trampled upon by those who seek to silence dissent and control the narrative.”

The minister called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and emphasised Nigeria’s position on a two-state solution.