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
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.
This failure is rooted in historical patterns of repression, reinforced by power structures that benefit from controlled narratives. Cross-culturally, journalism is a form of resistance and cultural preservation, yet marginalized voices remain at the highest risk. To address this, we must combine legal, technological, and community-based solutions that prioritize press freedom as a human right. Indigenous and artistic perspectives offer alternative models for truth-telling, while international advocacy can hold perpetrators accountable. Only through a holistic, systemic approach can we begin to dismantle the structures that enable the violence against journalists.