The leadership of the Condé Nast and New Yorker unions and the undersigned individual union members wholly condemn the killing of journalists covering Israel’s siege on Gaza and attacks on the West Bank and Lebanon, as well as the harassment and arrest of media workers here in the United States for covering pro-Palestine actions. We refuse to accept this treatment as our status quo.
The criminalization of journalism makes it harder and more dangerous for us to do our jobs, and imperils democracy by creating a chilling effect on reporting on protest movements. As union members, we derive our safety as individuals, our power as journalists, and our vitality as a labor union from our solidarity with our colleagues here and around the world, and from our commitment to a robust, free, protected press. Our members include journalists who cover protests in the US, and who rely on reporting coming out of Gaza to perform their duties effectively, and we deserve the freedom, safety, and access necessary to do so without retaliation or fear thereof.
Under international law, journalists are protected civilians in armed conflicts. Despite this, the military assault launched by Israel after the Hamas attacks on October 7 represents the deadliest period for media workers since the Committee to Protect Journalists began tracking this data more than 30 years ago. According to the CPJ, at least 116 media workers have been killed by the Israeli military over the last 10 months; officials in Gaza report that number to be even higher, saying 174 Palestinian journalists have been killed. At least five Lebanese journalists have been killed in Israeli attacks.
We are alarmed by the uptick in the targeting of media professionals everywhere. While Israel has arrested an unprecedented number of Palestinian journalists this year, in New York City, police have made 22 arrests and committed 17 assaults on members of the press covering such protests since October 7, per the US Press Freedom Tracker. Samuel Seligson, a credentialed videographer, faces felony hate crime charges after documenting activists splattering paint on two apartment buildings. Law enforcement reportedly acknowledged that he did not even participate in the action.
We call on New York City officials to immediately cease the harassment and arrest of journalists covering pro-Palestine actions and drop the charges against Seligson. We call on the ICC to expedite its investigation in Palestine, which includes allegations of crimes against journalists by Israeli forces. We call on Condé Nast to affirm its commitment to championing all voices, and its partnership with CPJ; to promise to protect the physical safety and editorial integrity of our members; and to acknowledge the tremendous loss of life in Gaza.
Signed, in solidarity with the journalists in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, who continue to report in unimaginable conditions.
Adam Lance Garcia
Aiyana Ishmael, Associate Editor Teen Vogue
Alex Barasch, Story Editor, The New Yorker
Allegra Kirkland, Teen Vogue
Allie Monck, Associate Photo Editor, The New Yorker
Allison Schaller, Visuals Editor Vanity Fair
Alma Avalle, Bon Appétit
Amalie MacGowen, Creative Development Manager, Teen Vogue, Glamour and Them
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