Structural violence against journalists in conflict zones: The case of Amal Khalil and Shireen Abu Akleh
Original framing: “Israel feared Amal Khalil, just as it did Shireen Abu Akleh” — Al Jazeera
The original framing omits the role of international media conglomerates in shaping public perception, the historical context of press freedom in the Middle East, and the perspectives of local communities who live with the consequences of such violence. It also lacks an analysis of how state and non-state actors collude to suppress independent journalism.
Medium structural omission detected in mainstream coverage.
This narrative is produced by Al Jazeera, a media outlet with a regional and global audience, often framing events from a perspective critical of Western and Israeli power structures. The framing serves to highlight the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones but may obscure the broader geopolitical dynamics and the role of international actors in enabling or challenging these patterns.
Studies on conflict and media show that journalists in conflict zones are 10 times more likely to be killed than in peacetime. These data underscore the need for evidence-based policies to protect press freedom and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
The deaths of Amal Khalil and Shireen Abu Akleh are not isolated tragedies but symptoms of a systemic failure to protect journalists in conflict zones.