Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It has been well observed that truth is the first casualty of war. It has been equally well observed that the only antidote to propaganda purported in a time of conflict is the truth. In areas of conflict journalism has a vital role. When covering war or conflict professional journalists do not just circulate facts and information. They also frame and promote deliberation and debate. By supplying credible information the media also has a vital role to play in promoting democratic principles. As we have seen the global reporting of atrocities being committed can be a significant contributory factor in bringing parties to the peace table.

However, conflict reporting has been a risky occupation and attacks on the press take many forms. Kidnapping, threats, arrest, imprisonment, harassment - with women in particular being targeted – are becoming all too common. Between 2010 and 2019 almost 900 journalists were killed while doing their job. In November 2020 the UN Secretary General stated that the fundamental role of journalists in ensuring access to reliable information is essential to achieving durable peace, sustainable development and human rights, and recalled that all civilians, including journalists engaged in professional missions, must be respected and protected under international humanitarian law. Although many have lost their lives covering conflicts, far more are also murdered for investigating issues such as corruption, trafficking, political wrongdoing, human rights violations and environmental issues.

Ultimately the reason we are having this discussion today is because of the brutal and senseless murder of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. When covering an Israeli military raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, she was shot dead. Eyewitnesses who were present at the scene said she was killed by Israeli forces. This killing has rightly attracted global condemnation as did the shameful events at her funeral. There can be no double standards here. There can be no box ticking masquerading as accountability particularly in a week where we have seen another soldier, in another conflict, sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a civilian. This action needs accountability and Israel needs to be held to account for the actions and the murder of that veteran journalist.

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