Journalists in Handcuffs: Press Freedom Becomes Another Casualty of War

War has many victims, but one of the first to fall is the truth—and right behind it are the journalists trying to report it.

As of February 17, at least 39 journalists remain locked up in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, caught in the crossfire of military crackdowns, censorship, and paranoia.

✔ Since October 2023, at least 75 journalists have been arrested in the region, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
✔ Most of those still in detention are held by Israeli authorities—often without charges under so-called “administrative detention” policies.
✔ Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities have also gone after journalists, though on a smaller scale, detaining reporters for criticizing Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

Because in war, everyone wants to control the narrative—and the easiest way to do that is by silencing the people telling the story.

Israel: “We’re Not Targeting Journalists, But…”

The Israeli government insists it doesn’t target reporters—at least not “simply for being journalists.”

But here’s what’s actually happening:

• West Bank raids on reporters’ homes—because apparently, journalism is now a national security threat.
• News outlets shut down—because if you don’t like the headlines, why not just erase the source?
• Reporters held indefinitely without charges—because due process is optional in times of war.

Israel claims many of these journalists are aiding terrorism, but rights groups say the charges are often vague, the evidence secret, and the detentions indefinite.

✔ Translation? If you’re reporting things the Israeli government doesn’t like, you might find yourself behind bars.

Palestinian Authorities: Don’t Ask Too Many Questions

While Israel is cracking down hard, the Palestinian authorities aren’t exactly champions of press freedom either.

✔ Journalists in Gaza and the West Bank have been arrested for reporting critically on Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
✔ Press watchdogs say there’s an environment of fear for Palestinian reporters trying to cover the war with honesty.

Because in this conflict, both sides agree on one thing: critical journalism is inconvenient.

Why This Matters: War Without Journalism is Just Propaganda

In the chaos of war, journalists are the last line of defense against misinformation.

✔ They hold governments accountable.
✔ They expose war crimes.
✔ They make sure the world knows what’s really happening.

But if governments keep arresting reporters, intimidating newsrooms, and blocking coverage, what happens next?

The only voices left will be the ones approved by those in power.

The Bottom Line: Free the Press, Free the Truth

The detainment of journalists in conflict zones isn’t just an attack on press freedom—it’s an attack on reality itself.

✔ The world needs independent journalism.
✔ Israel needs to release detained journalists who aren’t charged with real crimes.
✔ Palestinian authorities need to stop cracking down on critical reporting.

Because when the truth is locked up, the only thing left is propaganda—and that’s a war no one wins.