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TikTok CEO grilled by lawmakers regarding China ties

Shou Zi Chew.


During the hearing, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas raised concerns to Chew about becoming CEO at the same time as the Chinese Communist Party acquired a 1% stake in ByteDance’s primary Chinese subsidiary….reports Asian Lite News

TikTok CEO Shou Chew found himself under scrutiny as lawmakers probed into the platform’s ties with China, particularly its parent company ByteDance, and the extent of access granted to the Chinese government, CNN reported.

During the hearing, Arkansas Republican Sen Tom Cotton questioned Chew about his appointment as CEO coinciding with the Chinese Communist Party’s acquisition of a 1 per cent stake in ByteDance’s main Chinese subsidiary.

Chew dismissed any connection, stating, “It’s a coincidence.” Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley also pressed Chew on TikTok’s links to China and its communist party.

In response to Texas Republican Sen Ted Cruz’s inquiry, Chew characterised the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident in Beijing as a “massive protest.” While accurate, Chew’s description omitted the subsequent government crackdown on pro-democracy activists, a dark chapter that is heavily censored on the Chinese internet today.

Under further questioning by Sen Cotton, Chew conceded, referring to the event as “a massacre.” Despite Chew’s acknowledgment, he had previously assured Congress that TikTok permits content related to Tiananmen Square, emphasising that the platform does not operate within China. However, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, distributes a similar app called Douyin within China.

The intense questioning reflects growing concerns among lawmakers about the potential influence of the Chinese government on TikTok’s operations and content policies.

The grilling was held at a dramatic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing of the CEOs of major tech companies, who faced intense scrutiny over the potential harms of their platforms on teens, CNN reported.

The Senate Judiciary Committee focused on examining the potential harms inflicted on teenagers by these platforms.

During the hearing, the CEOs sought to convey their commitment to child safety on their platforms by emphasising their roles as parents.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel mentioned that his wife approves every app their 13-year-old downloads, TikTok CEO Shou Chew highlighted being a father of three young children, X CEO Linda Yaccarino identified herself as a mother, and Discord CEO Jason Citron emphasised his role as a father of two. (ANI)

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ZUCKERBERG SAYS SORRY

In a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Meta CEO stood to offer a public apology to families affected by the alleged repercussions of social media platforms, acknowledging the pain and suffering they have endured…reports Asian Lite News

In a dramatic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, the CEOs of major tech companies face intense scrutiny over the potential harms of their platforms to teens, CNN reported.

In a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stood to offer a public apology to families affected by the alleged repercussions of social media platforms, acknowledging the pain and suffering they have endured.

“I’m sorry for everything you have all been through. No one should go through the things that your families have suffered, and this is why we invest so much,” Zuckerberg said, emphasising ongoing industry-wide efforts to mitigate the negative impacts associated with their products, as reported by CNN.

“We are going to continue doing industry wide efforts to make sure no one has to go through the things your families have had to suffer,” he added.

The apology came amid a grilling of five tech executives, including Zuckerberg, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, X (formerly Twitter) CEO Linda Yaccarino, TikTok CEO Shou Chew, and Discord CEO Jason Citron.

The Senate Judiciary Committee focused on examining the potential harms inflicted on teenagers by these platforms.

However, the hearing took a combative turn when Missouri Republican Sen Josh Hawley called on Zuckerberg, a billionaire, to financially compensate families affected by the adverse effects of his company’s platforms on their children. The demand for compensation underscored the severity of the allegations against these tech giants.

The atmosphere in the hearing room was charged as dozens of parents stood, holding up pictures of their loved ones allegedly harmed by social media. The room fell silent at the sight of grieving families, creating a poignant backdrop for the unfolding proceedings.

Lawmakers, including Texas Republican Sen Ted Cruz and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, began to filter in as the audience awaited the testimonies.

Senator Lindsey Graham’s opening remarks set a confrontational tone, accusing the tech CEOs of having “blood on their hands” due to the alleged negative consequences of their products. Graham argued that these platforms, particularly Meta, have a product that is “killing people,” and he called for the repeal of Section 230, a federal law providing immunity to websites and social media platforms for their content moderation decisions and user-generated content.

Graham cited the case of South Carolina state house Rep Brandon Guffey, who lost his eldest son to suicide and is now suing Meta.

Guffey claims that after his son’s funeral, he received messages demanding money in exchange for explicit photos of his late son, who had unwittingly become a victim of sexual extortion on Instagram. The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, gross negligence, and other claims against Meta.

This hearing once again highlighted the bipartisan criticism of social media companies among lawmakers.

Senator Graham acknowledged the rare unity between Democrats and Republicans on the issue, emphasising the need to address the abuse facilitated by tech platforms, according to CNN.

Despite the bipartisan concern, meaningful legislation to regulate social media companies at the federal level is yet to be passed. The focus has shifted to state legislatures and courts, where battles over new policies, such as age minimums for social media use, are being waged.

During the hearing, the CEOs sought to convey their commitment to child safety on their platforms by emphasising their roles as parents.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel mentioned that his wife approves every app their 13-year-old downloads, TikTok CEO Shou Chew highlighted being a father of three young children, X CEO Linda Yaccarino identified herself as a mother, and Discord CEO Jason Citron emphasised his role as a father of two.

However, Zuckerberg, despite being a parent himself, did not explicitly mention his fatherly role in his remarks. The CEOs’ parental connections aimed to humanize them and demonstrate a personal stake in ensuring the safety of young users on their platforms.

As the hearing unfolded, it became clear that lawmakers are demanding more than apologies – they are pushing for accountability, regulatory measures, and, in some cases, financial compensation for the alleged damages caused by social media platforms, CNN reported.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has concluded its hearing.

In his opening remarks, Zuckerberg touted investments in safety and recent policy changes to give parents more control over their children’s data, while calling on Congress to force app store giants — like Google and Apple — to play a bigger part in vetting children’s ages online. Washington Post reporting this week revealed that Meta’s parental surveillance features are poorly used.

Yaccarino, the first executive for X to testify since Elon Musk took over the platform formerly known as Twitter, highlighted plans to stand up a new safety team in Texas and automate some of the company’s reports to government that flag child abuse material. TikTok’s Chew, meanwhile, repeatedly emphasized that despite a common perception that his platform’s audience skews young, the average age for users is over 30. (ANI)

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‘UAE Set to Become Global Hub For New Media’

Commenting on the 1 Billion Followers Summit, Al Gergawi said the event has started big and continued to grow in its second edition….reports Asian Lite News

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said that the global media sector today is going at a turning point that could bring about huge and unexpected shifts in both media and technology.

The minister noted: “Our goal for the UAE is to become the focal point for new media. Thanks to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish a permanent influencers headquarters in Dubai, the UAE will be a global hub for influencers by supporting them to create positive content.”
“Content creation is not an easy job, because content has the power to build communities or bring them down. Creating specialised content requires support and training, which helps build knowledge,” Al Gergawi said.

“The UAE government is an active government, as H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum always says: “We do what we say, and we say what we do”. And while many said that the global economic downturn marked the end of dreams, but the UAE proved it has just started… We have reached Mars; we are part of the lunar space station project; and we continue to affect a cultural and humanitarian transformation that serves all humankind. The UAE’s mission extends its positive impact well beyond our national boundaries, serving a larger, global purpose.”

Commenting on the 1 Billion Followers Summit, Al Gergawi said the event has started big and continued to grow in its second edition. He promised bigger and more influential future editions, highlighting the growing importance of new media, and the need to create exceptional content that adds value to humanity.

1 Billion Followers Summit Wraps Up 2nd Edition

The 1 Billion Followers Summit concluded its second edition in Dubai on Thursday reiterating the importance of digital content creation and its rapidly evolving role in communication, learning, and entertainment, in the region and around the world.

Organised by the New Media Academy on January 10- 11, the event engaged over 300 million social media users across various digital platforms.

The summit’s hashtag #1BillionSummit ranked among the most followed hashtags worldwide in the past couple of days, with engagements exceeding 489 million. Additionally, the summit was the focus of 300+ local and international journalists who took the summit’s voice to the world and conducted exclusive interviews with some of the world’s most famous influencers on social media.

Up to 195 speakers and content creators from 95 countries and regions shared unique experiences, advice, and secrets to success across the fields of art, sports, education, health, business, and environment. The event attracted 7,000 attendees and participants, including 3,000 content creators, who hailed the platform as a unique opportunity to connect and collaborate with content creators from different countries and cultures.

Saeed Al Eter, Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, affirmed that the UAE continues to boost its influence on the international media scene, introducing the world to its collective achievements. He also lauded the country’s exceptional ability to stay ahead of developments and anticipate major transformations in the field of new media, to embrace this vast space and invest in its unlimited potential.

He said, “The 1 Billion Followers Summit embodies the UAE’s commitment to developing the creative industries and writing a new chapter in the evolution of digital media and content creation. This is achieved by providing a nurturing environment to attract talents and innovators, organizing events that bring together influential names in the field to benefit from their experiences, and inspiring journeys that serve as a motivation for new content creators in developing visions, goals, and tools”.

He added, “The Summit is a new affirmation of our country’s strong presence in every positive change aimed at advancing means of communication among people. We have great confidence that the success of this event, which brought together more than 7,000 participants from 95 countries around the world, including over 3,000 content creators, influencers, and creatives, will be a qualitative leap in its journey, as well as the journey of new media and content creation in our country, the Arab region, and the world,” affirming that the UAE will remain a cradle of creativity.

Alia Al Hammadi, CEO of the New Media Academy, affirmed that the vibrant regional and global engagement with the summit – its events, activations and discussions – asserts Dubai’s leadership in providing a nurturing and supportive environment for creative industry professionals and emerging talents. It also solidifies the city’s position as a preferred destination for content creators and influencers of various nationalities and cultures.

She said: “The summit offered a pioneering and comprehensive platform for exchanging experiences and knowledge among participants. It has offered the tools and the right guidance to empower social media practitioners to hone their talent, creativity and capabilities, asserting that communication is the new and most widely used global currency. Dubai will continue striving to offer the best platforms and services to advance the value of this sector and those who operate within it.”

Al Hammadi thanked the partners, sponsors, speakers, and attendees who contributed to the success of the second edition of the summit and expressed her hope to meet them again in the next edition.
The summit, over the course of two days, organised 24 panel discussions, hosting an elite group of the world’s leading social media pioneers. These discussions covered the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the creative industries and digital media. The event also featured speeches from top executives and international business leaders, highlighting the role of new media in enhancing community development, the importance of producing content that elevates the audience’s tastes and embedding awareness in generations in line with the summit’s vision.

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Global media commends BJP after saffron sweep  

The UK-based news agency, Reuters, dubbed the poll victories as a ‘big boost’ for PM Modi ahead of the general elections next year, heading its story as, “In boost for Modi, BJP sweeps polls in three Indian states.”…reports Asian Lite News

After BJP swept three of the four states, the results for which were declared on Sunday, global media commended the victory as an ‘expansion of PM Modi dominance’, adding that the outcomes were ‘vital’ ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Prominent US daily The Washington Post ran a detailed story hailing the BJP’s stupendous poll wins in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, calling the mandates ‘crucial’.

“The crucial poll has pitted India’s opposition against the ruling party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of next year’s vital national vote,” the Washington Post stated in its report.

The global media affirmed that the victories in three states would strengthen PM Modi’s chances of scoring a hat-trick of poll wins and returning for a third straight term at the country’s highest office.

Al Jazeera ran a report with the headline, “India’s BJP wins three of four state polls months before the national election”, terming the BJP’s poll victories “historic and unprecedented”.

The UK-based news agency, Reuters, dubbed the poll victories as a ‘big boost’ for PM Modi ahead of the general elections next year, heading its story as, “In boost for Modi, BJP sweeps polls in three Indian states.”

“The election results indicate the voter mood ahead of the national elections in May in which Modi is eyeing a third consecutive term,” it stated in its report.

A saffron Tsunami swept the Hindi heartland on the counting day for four states that polled for their assemblies last month, the BJP, with its stunning mandates in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, stumped not just their rivals but also some pollsters who had predicted tight races in these states.

The election results in four states, especially the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, came as a huge to the Congress’s hopes for 2024 as it is now out of power across a vast swathe of the Hindi heartland.

In Rajasthan, the vote count painted a starkly different picture to what some of the pollsters had predicted, with the BJP poised to form the government, winning 115 seats, and the Congress trailing at 69 seats.

Of the 90 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh, the BJP bagged 54 while the Congress won 35.

The counting for Mizoram is set for Monday, where BJP’s regional ally, the Mizo National Front, is the incumbent.

Assembly elections to five states were held last month, with more than 160 million people, or a sixth of India’s electorate, registered to vote. (ANI)

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Bombay HC Rejects PIL Based on Social Media

Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, constituting the division bench, declined to entertain the PIL, expressing dissatisfaction with its lack of specifics….reports Asian Lite News

The Bombay High Court, in a recent hearing, rejected the inclusion of information obtained from social media in public interest litigation (PIL) proceedings. The PIL, filed by advocate Ajitsingh Ghorpade, sought the Maharashtra government’s intervention in safeguarding waterfalls and water bodies, alleging an annual loss of 1,500 to 2,000 lives in unsafe locations in the state.

Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, constituting the division bench, declined to entertain the PIL, expressing dissatisfaction with its lack of specifics. Ghorpade’s lawyer, Manindra Pandey, mentioned that the data on fatalities was derived from newspapers and social media posts. However, the court criticized the petition as vague and admonished the use of social media information in PIL pleadings, emphasizing the need for responsibility in such legal actions.

The court questioned the petitioner’s approach, stating that filing a PIL based on accidental drownings during picnics might not necessarily constitute a violation of fundamental rights. The bench asserted that such cases were a “sheer wastage” of judicial time. Pandey argued for the state government to ensure the safety of individuals visiting these sites, but the court countered, highlighting the challenges of monitoring every waterfall and water body.

In response to the court’s queries about the petitioner’s firsthand knowledge, Pandey failed to provide substantial details. The bench suggested withdrawing the PIL and encouraged filing a more comprehensive one with proper specifics. The petitioner agreed, leading to the withdrawal of the petition.

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Hezbollah Demands Global Condemnation of Israeli Strikes on Media

On October 14, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry submitted a complaint to the UN Security Council against Israel for launching attacks on journalists…reports Asian Lite News

Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia military group, has vowed to retaliate against Israel’s “brutal aggression” after two journalists from Lebanese TV channel Al-Mayadeen were killed in Israeli attacks on the southern village of Tayr Harfa.

“This crime, the previous attack on Reuters photojournalist Issam Abdallah, the killing of dozens of journalists in Gaza and the destruction of their headquarters by the occupation forces, reveals the important role played by the media in exposing the enemy’s practices and exposing its horrific crimes against civilians, especially in the Gaza Strip,” Hezbollah said on Tuesday in a statement.

The military group called on international media and humanitarian bodies to condemn the “crime and similar crimes that preceded it,” and “exert the highest levels of pressure” on the Israeli government to stop its attacks on media professionals and civilians, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly condemned the Israeli attacks that killed media professionals in the south on Tuesday. He said the attack proved once again that “Israel’s goal is to silence the media that exposes its crimes and attacks”.

For his part, Lebanese Defence Minister Maurice Slim called for “a unified and effective Arab and international position in the face of the continuous Israeli aggression as statements of denunciation and condemnation are no longer sufficient”.

Farah Omar, a reporter working for local TV channel Al-Mayadeen, and Rabih Al-Maamari, a photographer working for the same channel, were covering the events in southern Lebanon on Tuesday when two Israeli drones hit them, killing both of them and a civilian named Hussein Akil, Lebanese TV channel Al-Manar reported.

On October 13, Issam Abdallah, a Lebanese photojournalist working for Reuters, was killed while covering Israeli attacks in the southern village of Alma al-Shaab while several other journalists working for Agence France-Presse and Al Jazeera were injured.

On October 14, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry submitted a complaint to the UN Security Council against Israel for launching attacks on journalists.

The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension for over six weeks after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Shebaa Farms on October 8 in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel on Monday, prompting the Israeli forces to respond by firing heavy artillery toward several areas in southeastern Lebanon.

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Global Media Congress Sets New Standards in Industry Collaboration

The second edition of the Global Media Congress saw a phenomenal increase in attendance, with 23924 visitors compared to 13556 the previous year, showing a 76.48 per cent increase in attendance…reports Asian Lite News

On the final day of the Global Media Congress, attendees and speakers reflected on a series of groundbreaking sessions that provided insights into the current media landscape as well as its future trends.

With the Congress having broken records in terms of attendee numbers, speaker participation and business and brand participation, the event’s closing sessions offered yet more diverse perspectives, creative ideas, and collaborative spirit, all converging to redefine the role of media in an ever-evolving global society.

The second edition of the Global Media Congress saw a phenomenal increase in attendance, with 23924 visitors compared to 13556 the previous year, showing a 76.48 per cent increase in attendance.
There was also an increase in participating countries, with 172 countries featuring during the congress, with 31 new countries participating for the first time. Covering 32,000 square metres, the Congress’s footprint grew 78 per cent from last year, attracting 77 leading industry speakers from 18 different countries.

Under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the day was marked by a series of compelling keynote speeches, insightful panel discussions, and exclusive interviews that all contributed to the Congress’s overarching narrative of driving innovation and business growth in the global media landscape.
Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of Emirates News Agency (WAM) and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for the Global Media Congress, said, “Once again, the Global Media Congress has gathered together leaders, decision-makers, and executives from renowned media institutions around the world to successfully shape the future of the global media industry. Through coordinated efforts and the productive exchange of creative concepts and breakthrough technological solutions, we have further consolidated the UAE’s position as a key global hub for advancing the future of the media industry and setting the groundwork for its productive growth to serve the world’s economies and societies.”

Day three of the Congress gave a special emphasis to the themes of tolerance and community harmony, sport and the media, and the impact of technology on different media platforms.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADNEC Group, stated, “As we bring this edition of the Global Media Congress at ADNEC to a close, I am profoundly grateful to the many excellent participants that have joined us from around the world for their enthusiasm and invaluable contributions. I also wish to thank the wise leadership of the UAE for their vision and unwavering support for this globally significant event. In keeping with ADNEC Group’s commitment to advancing Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification through expanded business and tourism opportunities, we look forward to repeating the outstanding success of this Congress in its future editions.”

Among the MoUs concluded at the conference were two agreements on the final day between New Media Academy and Core 42, the UAE Journalist Association and American University in the Emirates.
The ingenuity on display in the startup competition exemplified the Global Media Congress’s focus on unlocking the potential of new talent in the media sector. Also important in this respect was the launch at this year’s event of the Education Stage and Co-Production Majlis as new features were designed, along with the return of the Innovation Stage, NexTech, and Future Media Lab, to explore education and Al as key drivers of the sector’s future evolution.

Additionally, the elite-level discussions held at the Future Media Labs are expected to lead to a new White Paper on the industry’s future that will build on a similar publication in 2022. Through such game-changing initiatives, the 2023 Global Media Congress has confirmed its status as an essential forum for thought leadership and visionary new partnerships. (ANI/WAM)

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X banned over 2L accounts for violations in India in Oct

Most complaints from India were about hateful conduct (1,424), followed by abuse/harassment (917), child sexual exploitation (366), and sensitive adult content (231)…reports Asian Lite News

Elon Musk-run X Corp (formerly Twitter) banned a record 2,34,584 accounts in India between September 26 and October 25, mostly for promoting child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity.

The micro-blogging platform, going through a churning under Musk, who has recently appointed a new X CEO Linda Yaccarino, also took down 2,755 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country.  In total, X banned 2,37,339 accounts in the reporting period in India.

X, in its monthly report in compliance with the new IT Rules, 2021, said that it received 3,229 complaints from users in India in the same time frame through its grievance redressal mechanisms. In addition, X processed 78 grievances which were appealing account suspensions.

“We overturned 43 of these account suspensions after reviewing the specifics of the situation. The remaining reported accounts remain suspended,” said the company. “We received 53 requests related to general questions about accounts during this reporting period,” it added.

Most complaints from India were about hateful conduct (1,424), followed by abuse/harassment (917), child sexual exploitation (366), and sensitive adult content (231).

Under the new IT Rules 2021, big digital and social media platforms, with more than 5 million users, have to publish monthly compliance reports.

Between August 26 and September 25, X banned 5,57,764 accounts in India.

The micro-blogging platform also took down 1,675 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country.

In addition, between July 26 and August 25, the company banned 12,80,107 accounts and took down 2,307 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country. Meanwhile, X has “actioned” over 325,000 pieces of content that violated its terms of service, including violent speech and hateful conduct, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

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Israeli Media Watchdog Alleges Photojournalists’ Connection to Hamas Attack

The statement further said that these journalists were accomplices in crimes against humanity and that their actions were contrary to professional ethics…reports Asian Lite News

The Israel Communications Ministry has contacted international media outlets — New York Times, CNN, Associated Press (AP) and Reuters — after an Israeli media watchdog, HonestReporting.com, brought out details regarding the photojournalists employed by these outlets had been with Hamas terrorists when they swarmed into Israel on October 7 early hours and massacred civilians.

The HonestReporting.com, which works to expose false narratives against Israel in foreign press, asks whether these photojournalists were aware of such a massacre as they were present on the scene of crime.

The watchdog also raised questions whether these journalists had permission to cross into Israel from Gaza.

The investigation by HonestReporting.com revealed that these photographers had documented the kidnapping of civilians and soldiers by the Hamas terrorists. The burning of tanks and murder of an IDF soldier was also documented by these photojournalists.

The spokesperson of AP responded to this stating that it had no advance knowledge of the October 7 massacre. 

The spokesperson of AP, Nicole Meyer, in a statement said, “AP had no advance knowledge of the October 7 attack.”

The statement also added, “AP’s role is to capture news and images worldwide, at any point, even if they are terrible and involve victims.”

The National Public Diplomacy Directorate in the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said, “We view this with utmost gravity that photojournalists working with international media joined in covering the brutal acts of murder perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on October 7.”

The statement further said that these journalists were accomplices in crimes against humanity and that their actions were contrary to professional ethics.

The Israel Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi contacted CNN, New York Times, AP and Reuters.  

After the denial by AP, Reuters also said that it did not have any prior knowledge of the October 7 massacre.

The Reuters in a statement said, “We are aware of a report by HonestReporting and accusations made against two freelance journalists and accusations made against two freelance photographers who contributed to Reuters coverage of the October 7 matter.”

It also added that the Reuters acquired photographs from two Gaza-based freelancers and said that the photograph that was published two hours after Hamas fired rockets into southern Israel. It also said that its staff reporters and photojournalists were not present on the scene of crime.

The HonestReporting had also released photographs of the photojournalist, Hassan Eslaiah from whom both AP and CNN had collected photos, along with the Hamas’ most wanted leader and military commander, Yahya Sinwar.

CNN and New York Times are yet to give a rebuttal.

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CPJ Condemns Attacks on Journalists During Gaza Assault

The CPJ further said that it was investigating numerous unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, missing, detained, injured or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes…reports Asian Lite News

Since Hamas launched its massive assault against Israel on October 7, at least 39 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the ensuing violence, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a report.

In its update report issued on Wednesday, the New York-based nonprofit also said that October 2023 was the deadliest month for journalists globally since it began record keeping in 1992. 

Of the 39 fatalities, 34 were Palestinian, four Israeli, and one Lebanese.

The CPJ also said that eight journalists were injured, three remained missing and 13 others arrested.

Meanwhile, there were also reports of multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship and killings of family members of the journalists, the nonprofit added.

“CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, was quoted as saying in the report.

“Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heart-breaking conflict. Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats.

“Many have lost colleagues, families, and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit,” he added.

Since the war began, a total of 10,569 people have died in Gaza, 1,400 in Israel and 150 in the West Bank.

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