For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Indianapolis,
IN
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
CONTACT: Matthew T. Hall, SPJ National President, 619-987-7786, mhall@spj.org
Jennifer Royer, SPJ Director of Communications and Marketing, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists condemns and calls for an investigation into the intentional destruction of a Gaza building housing The Associated Press and other media outlets on Sunday and urges world leaders to do so as well.
“Politics aside, the destruction of the Associated Press offices in Gaza is disturbing,” said SPJ National President Matthew T. Hall. “We echo the AP’s call for an independent investigation and urge the Israeli government – and governments everywhere – to foster conditions that support, not restrict, journalism, especially when lives are at stake and being lost.”
SPJ Ethics Committee Chair Danielle McLean said, “The Israeli government's actions endangered the lives of journalists and complicated their ability to document the human toll of the conflict. Any military action, intended or not, that threatens the lives of journalists or their ability to do their work is unacceptable and should be fully investigated.”
SPJ joins others in the call for Israel to provide evidence supporting Israel’s claim that Hamas operated in the building that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. If President Joe Biden has seen intelligence on the matter, SPJ also urges him to provide evidence regarding the claim.
SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.
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