Lawmakers decry lack of accountability for attack on journalists

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 1 hour ago

U.S. lawmakers and human rights groups demand accountability for a 2023 attack on journalists in Lebanon, highlighting closed investigations and urging transparent war crimes probes.

Summary

WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. lawmakers and leading rights organizations held a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on December 11 to highlight the absence of formal investigations into attacks on journalists in Gaza and Lebanon since October 2023. The event brought together senators, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Amnesty International to press for accountability and transparent probes. 

Speakers emphasised that the militaries involved have conducted closed reviews into deadly strikes without interviewing key witnesses or consulting extensive evidence held by media and rights groups.

Lawmakers demand answers on closed probes

Senator Peter Welch of Vermont revealed that a review into a targeted October 13, 2023, attack in southern Lebanon was closed without interviewing the only American journalist wounded or reviewing evidence collected by human rights and media organisations. The strike killed Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah and severely wounded others, including AFP photographer Christina Assi and U S citizen Dylan Collins.

Advocates at the conference said the closure of preliminary reviews by militaries means cases will not be referred for criminal investigation and called for war crimes probes that meet international standards. Amnesty International and CPJ representatives stressed that failing to hold perpetrators to account undermines press freedom and endangers journalists covering conflicts. 

Broader implications for press freedom

Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Becca Balint echoed calls for justice for journalists, saying the failure to investigate is part of a broader pattern of impunity for attacks on the press. They urged stronger international action and pressure on governments to uphold protections for media workers. 

Advocates warned newsrooms to review risk assessments and legal protections for staff and local fixers covering high-risk conflict zones, noting the ongoing dangers journalists face without effective accountability mechanisms.

KEY POINTS:

• Lawmakers and rights groups highlighted that militaries have closed investigations into deadly attacks on journalists 
• The October 13, 2023, Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed a Reuters journalist and wounded others
• Senators and advocates are calling for international war crimes investigations and stronger protections for media workers in conflict zones
• The lack of accountability is described as part of a broader pattern of impunity affecting press freedom globally
• Speakers urged the U.S. and international community to push for justice and transparent probes

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on statements from U.S. lawmakers, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Amnesty International

PHOTO: Dylan Collins, American journalist and survivor of the October 13, 2023, targeted Israeli attack on seven journalists, delivers remarks at a press conference at the Capitol. (Photo: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)