In May 2023, UNESCO awarded its World Press Freedom Prize to all Palestinian journalists covering Gaza. The organization honored their efforts to promote press freedom in areas affected by conflict and condemned the deaths of 26 journalists in Gaza since October 2023. To support media workers reporting from the region, UNESCO has been providing essential equipment.
The Chair of the International Jury of media professionals, Mauricio Weibel, expressed solidarity and admiration for Palestinian journalists covering the crisis in Gaza, acknowledging their courage and commitment to freedom of expression. During the World Press Freedom Day Conference held in Santiago, Chile from May 2 to 4, this was recognized along with World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
Since 1997, UNESCO has been awarding annually the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to defending and promoting press freedom. The organization recognizes the challenges faced by journalists in Gaza and other conflict zones like Ukraine and Afghanistan, calling for collective action to protect reporters working in difficult conditions.
