August 22, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Canada has now joined a multi-country statement calling on Israel to stop blocking foreign journalists from entering Gaza and to ensure the safety of reporters working in the Palestinian territories.
The statement, released Thursday by the Media Freedom Coalition, urges Israel to allow “independent foreign media access” to Gaza and to protect journalists across both Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The coalition was co-founded by Canada in 2020 and has previously spoken out on press freedom issues in regions such as Hong Kong, Sudan, and the West Bank.
However, Canada was initially absent from the list of 27 signatories. Global Affairs Canada told reporters it would provide a statement but did not do so before the release. Canada was added to the statement later that evening, following media attention.
The joint call followed international criticism over the death of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces. Israel claimed he had ties to a Hamas cell—an allegation that has been widely contested.
This marks only the second time Canada has delayed or declined to sign a Media Freedom Coalition statement, with the previous instance occurring during the 2021 federal election campaign.
Loading ...
