Pope commemorates journalists killed in war zones on World Press Freedom Day
Al Jazeera Staff
On World Press Freedom Day, Pope Leo XIV condemned violations of media freedom and honored journalists killed in conflict zones. He called for remembrance of reporters who died in war and violence, particularly in Gaza, where a recent report says 232 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023.
On World Press Freedom Day, Pope Leo XIV condemned violations of media freedom and expressed gratitude for reporters who lost their lives working in conflict zones. Speaking after the sunny Sunday prayer at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, the Pope emphasized that the day not only honors the importance of independent journalism but also reflects the growing threats journalists face.
“Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day… unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes blatantly, sometimes in more subtle forms,” the Pope said.
The event, sponsored by UNESCO, aims to show support for media organizations under pressure or censorship, and serves as a moment to remember journalists who have died while working. The Pope urged the faithful to recall “the many journalists and reporters who have become victims of war and violence,” especially in conflict zones.
A report last month by the Costs of War project at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs found that Israel's war in Gaza was the deadliest conflict for journalists on record, with 232 Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023. According to the report, the number of journalists killed in Gaza exceeds the total number of journalists killed in both World Wars, the Vietnam War, the Yugoslav wars, and the U.S. war in Afghanistan combined.
Previously, the head of the Catholic Church described journalism as a pillar of society and democracy, affirming that information is a public good that must be protected. The Pope often thanked journalists for sharing the truth, stating that doing their work should never be considered a crime, and regularly called for the release of journalists unjustly detained or prosecuted.
Last week, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released a report showing that global press freedom fell to its lowest level in 25 years. For the first time since RSF began compiling the index in 2002, more than half of the world's countries fell into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories for press freedom—a clear sign that journalism is increasingly being criminalized worldwide.
