M’sia calls for strong condemnation of journalist killings in Gaza

ISTANBUL: Malaysia hoped that the Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers (ICIM) will resound with a strong condemnation of the killing of journalists in Gaza, who courageously provided firsthand news coverage from the ground.

Ministry of Communications secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa said more than 120 journalists have lost their lives (as of Feb 10) in the Israeli attacks on Gaza, raising serious concerns about their safety.

He said their selfless dedication not only informs the world but also plays a pivotal role in countering disinformation propagated by Israel and its allies.

“While the Malaysian government and media cannot directly intervene in conflict zones, they have vehemently condemned these killings. Despite condemnation from international press bodies and the United Nations, the violence against journalists persists unabated,” he told Bernama.

He said this after attending the closed-door Senior Officials Meeting Preparatory to the ICIM Extraordinary Session of the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) here yesterday.

Mohamad Fauzi will lead the Malaysian delegation representing Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil at the one-day conference scheduled at 4pm (local time) on Saturday.

He said the Malaysian media and government have demonstrated unwavering support for Palestine amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, echoing Malaysia’s longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause.

He said both the Malaysian media and government officials were acutely aware of the disinformation campaign perpetuated by Israel and various pro-Israel media outlets.

“Since the invasion by Israeli forces into Gaza on Oct 7, 2023, the Malaysian media has taken a proactive and impartial approach to its coverage,” he added.