SadaNews: From the Era of Investigative Reporting to Questioning Its Rights for Journalists in Gaza?

Exclusive SadaNews - In the last month, journalists from the Gaza Strip have launched a significant ongoing campaign against the "Areej" network, based in the Jordanian capital, Amman, regarding the manipulation of the distribution of aid collected on behalf of Palestinian journalists in the sector, to assist them amid the Israeli war that has lasted for two years, resulting in the loss of much equipment, housing, and other support.

The journalists, as monitored by "SadaNews", initiated the campaign to demand the principle of accountability, which the "Areej" network itself adopted by encouraging investigative reporting that exposes corruption and other issues.

The journalists emphasized the need for accountability and the disclosure of the distribution mechanisms employed by the network, whether concerning financial amounts, computers, or phones.

The campaign organizers, comprising journalists from Gaza, indicated that the network did not disclose details regarding the distribution of aid, whether through names or approximate figures, or even the criteria it relied upon for the distribution process, leading to suspicions of favoritism, as well as the fact that not all aid received was distributed, along with a lack of public documentation of the aid process.

The organizers stated that the absence of accountability implies a lack of an independent mechanism to review the distribution, thus resulting in no form of audit or complete transparency, which accelerates the loss of trust between some journalists and the network, especially if there are those who feel they did not receive support or that the distribution was unfair.

About 230 male and female journalists from the sector signed a petition addressed to the journalists' union, expressing their deep concern regarding the collection of donations and financial assistance in the name of Gaza's journalists amidst the harsh humanitarian conditions they faced due to the recent war.

The petition asserted that there have been no clear criteria or transparent mechanisms for distributing this aid up to this point, nor has there been consultation with representatives of journalists in Gaza or the union regarding the management of this sensitive file, raising legitimate questions about how these donations are being spent, the groups designated to benefit from them, and the entities supervising the distribution process. This was stated in the text of the petition that "SadaNews" reviewed.

The petition urged the union to officially intervene to address the "Areej" network and request urgent clarifications regarding the criteria the network used in distributing the donations, the entities or individuals who supervised the distribution, and whether or not the union or representatives of journalists in Gaza had been involved in this matter.

They also requested clarification on the application process or access to this aid for those who were not included in the first phase.

The petition signers affirmed the right of all affected journalists in Gaza to benefit from this aid transparently and fairly, demanding the union to take necessary actions to ensure this.

In response to this petition, the Palestinian Journalists' Union stated that it is closely following the petition it received, demanding the "Areej" network to disclose the criteria it relied on in the aid distribution process, in order to achieve the principles of justice and equality in the distribution of aid to all journalists living and working under catastrophic humanitarian and operational conditions due to the genocide that lasted for two years and whose repercussions still persist today.

The union confirmed that the complaint petition included elements that necessitate its intervention, based on its professional and moral responsibilities, in order to preserve the legitimate rights of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.

The union emphasized that it is its duty to defend the rights of journalists in Gaza, appreciate their sacrifices, and prioritize their complaints.

The union indicated in its statement that it will follow up in partnership with the International Federation of Journalists on the complaint lodged against the "Areej" network, and looks forward to fruitful cooperation from it in clarifying the reality of what it has received in aid and what it has distributed to Palestinian journalists, as well as the criteria it used for that.

The union decided to work with colleagues in the Gaza Strip to form a special committee to monitor the interventions of international and local institutions, aiming to ensure transparency and justice in the distribution of support directed to journalists in the sector, stressing that it will spare no effort in defending the interests and rights of Palestinian journalists, especially in Gaza, and will expose any manipulation or lack of clarity by any party or institution that does not base its work on the principle of justice and transparency in its supportive interventions.

After investigations by "SadaNews" and communication with more than one journalist, only two journalists confirmed that they received support from the "Areej" network, ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 shekels, one of whom works with the Turkish Anadolu Agency, and another freelancing, and they affirmed their colleagues' right to demand the truth about this support and that it did not cover all journalists in need of this support, especially those who lost their work equipment.

Meanwhile, the majority of journalists confirmed that they did not receive any support from the media network.