Helsinki – A coalition of Finnish journalists, editors, publishers, and civil society organizations has formally appealed to President Alexander Stubb, urging him to play an active role in ensuring the safety of journalists working in Gaza. The call follows a string of deadly attacks on media workers during Israeli military operations in August 2025.
According to the appeal, six journalists were killed last month alone during Israeli airstrikes, among them correspondents affiliated with Reuters, the Associated Press (AP), and Al Jazeera. These incidents have intensified global concern over what media freedom advocates describe as a systematic assault on press freedom in conflict zones.
A Pattern of Targeted Violence
The petition cites figures from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which reveal that more than 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza over the past two years. Finnish media organizations argue that these deaths cannot be dismissed as isolated tragedies. Instead, they represent a broader, coordinated attack on journalism itself—an attempt to silence independent reporting and limit international scrutiny of the conflict.
In their joint statement, the Finnish media bodies emphasized:
“The killing of journalists in Gaza is not merely collateral damage. It is a direct attack on press freedom, on truth, and on the right of the global public to know what is happening on the ground.”
Restrictions on Foreign Press Access
The appeal also highlighted the restrictions imposed on foreign correspondents seeking access to Gaza. According to the signatories, international journalists have been routinely denied entry, leaving the reporting burden on local journalists who face extraordinary risks.
“This exclusion of foreign media voices,” the petition states, “further undermines transparency and accountability. Local reporters are left exposed to danger without adequate protection, while the world is denied firsthand accounts of the crisis.”
Finland’s Potential Role
By addressing the letter directly to President Stubb, Finnish media groups hope that Finland—a nation known for its strong democratic traditions and consistent advocacy of human rights—can leverage its diplomatic influence.
They urged the Finnish head of state to:
- Raise the issue at the European Union (EU) level, pressing member states to adopt a unified stance on journalist safety.
- Engage with the United Nations (UN) to enforce existing resolutions that mandate the protection of journalists in conflict zones.
- Demand accountability from states and armed groups found responsible for targeting media personnel.
The petitioners reminded the President that protecting journalists is not optional but an international obligation under UN conventions and resolutions.
Broader Global Concern
The appeal from Finland comes amid growing international outcry over the treatment of journalists in Gaza. Human rights organizations, press freedom advocates, and international watchdogs have repeatedly called for independent investigations into alleged deliberate targeting of media workers.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has also emphasized that attacks on journalists constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes.
A Climate of Fear
Journalists working in Gaza report constant fear of being targeted, with many operating without protective gear, secure shelter, or evacuation options. Survivors of recent attacks told international outlets that media offices and press-marked vehicles have not been spared, raising suspicions of deliberate strikes.
Families of slain journalists have also appealed for justice, calling on the international community to ensure that their loved ones’ deaths are not forgotten or reduced to mere statistics.
Finland’s Record on Press Freedom
Finland consistently ranks among the top countries for press freedom according to global indices. This, the petitioners argue, places a moral responsibility on the Finnish government to defend media rights abroad, particularly when they are under threat in war zones.
The appeal concluded with a stark reminder:
“When journalists are silenced, humanity loses its eyes and ears. Finland must take a stand to defend truth and transparency, especially in Gaza where they are under unprecedented assault.”
Whether President Stubb and his administration will act on this call remains to be seen, but the appeal has already sparked debate within Finnish media circles and civil society about the country’s role in defending global press freedom.
