Norwegian Media Organizations call for International pressure on Israel to Protect Journalists in Gaza
ARENDAL,Norway – August 13,2025 – A coalition of norway’s leading media organizations today issued a joint statement urging the Norwegian government to exert political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to ensure the safety of journalists working in Gaza.the organizations expressed deep concern over the obstruction of journalistic access and the risks faced by reporters covering the ongoing conflict.
The statement, signed by the Norwegian Editors’ Association, Norwegian Union of Journalists, Norwegian Press Association, Norwegian Media Businesses’ Association, Norwegian Specialized Press Association, National Association of Local Newspapers, and Norwegian Local Radio Association, calls for immediate action to protect journalists and uphold press freedom, citing obligations under the Geneva Convention.
“we urge Norwegian authorities to engage clearly and use all political and diplomatic channels to pressure Israel in this highly critical situation,” the statement reads. “We are also willing to contribute to dialog around possible measures.”
Specific Demands
The organizations outlined four key demands:
- Israel must immediately take action to protect journalists and the work of the press in Gaza, as it is obligated to do under the Geneva Convention.
- Local journalists who wish to leave Gaza must be allowed to do so.
- International journalists must be allowed to enter Gaza.
- Israel must cease systematically obstructing journalists and the global community’s right to information.
The statement emphasizes the importance of a free press in conflict zones, arguing that access to accurate information is crucial for accountability and informed public discourse. The organizations highlighted the increasing dangers faced by journalists in Gaza, where reporting has been severely hampered by restrictions on movement, communications blackouts, and direct targeting of media facilities.
Signatories:
Reidun Kjelling Nybø, Secretary General, Norwegian Editors’ Association
Dag Idar Tryggestad, Chair, Norwegian Union of Journalists
Elin Floberghagen, Secretary General, Norwegian Press Association
Randi S. Øgray, CEO, Norwegian Media Businesses’ Association
per Brikt Olsen, CEO, Norwegian Specialized Press Association
Tomas Bruvik, Secretary General, National Association of Local Newspapers
Aslak S. Skretting, Chair, Norwegian Local Radio Association
