Reuters rejects accusation that it "enabled" the killing of Gaza journalists by publishing Israeli propaganda

A Reuters spokesperson told The Baron: “Reuters strongly rejects any assertion that it has played a role in ‘justifying or enabling’ the killing of journalists in Gaza.”

Canadian photographer Valerie Zink said in a statement on Facebook on Tuesday that she had resigned from Reuters after eight years as a stringer.

“It’s become impossible for me to maintain a relationship with Reuters given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza. I owe my colleagues in Palestine at least this much, and so much more,” she said above a picture of her Reuters press card cut in two.

She said Western media had “dutifully repeated and dignified” countless Israeli lies and propaganda justifying its assault on Gaza. Zink published her statement the day after five journalists, including Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, were killed in the bombing of a Gaza hospital. Fifteen other people also died.

Denying Zink’s charges, the agency spokesperson said: “Reuters has worked tirelessly since the start of the war to protect and support its journalists on the ground in Gaza. Journalists in Gaza have delivered the images and stories that have allowed the world to bear witness to this war; their role is essential.”

Zink’s statement added: “By repeating Israel’s genocidal fabrications without determining if they have any credibility – wilfully abandoning the most basic responsibility of journalism – Western media outlets have made possible the killing of more journalists in two years on one tiny strip of land than in WWI, WWII, and the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, and Ukraine combined.“

The Reuters spokesperson said the agency, “Is deeply committed to freedom of the press and condemns any deliberate targeting of journalists. Journalists must be free to report the news in the public interest without fear of harassment or harm, wherever they are.

“We remain committed to covering the war in Gaza in an impartial, accurate and independent way, in keeping with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.”

In a joint statement on Tuesday, Reuters and Associated Press expressed outrage at the killing of the five journalists in Monday’s double bombing of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and demanded an explanation by the Israeli government. AP freelancer Mariam Dagga was among those killed in the bombing.

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