EFF's UN Submission: Palestinian Press Freedom Under Siege
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<p>In a recent consultation with the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Palestinian territories, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) submitted a critical brief detailing the escalating threats to press freedom in Palestine since October 2023. This Q&A explores the key findings, from a surge in journalist killings to systemic censorship and digital isolation.</p>
<h2 id="q1">What prompted the UN Special Rapporteur's study on media in Palestine?</h2>
<p>The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 launched a study to address the alarming number of killings and attacks against Palestinian journalists and media workers. It also examines the destruction of media infrastructure in Gaza, and the production and dissemination of narratives that may enable, justify, or incite international crimes. This investigation comes against a backdrop of long-standing censorship and surveillance, which has worsened significantly in recent months.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://www.eff.org/files/banner_library/gaza-2.jpg" alt="EFF's UN Submission: Palestinian Press Freedom Under Siege" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: www.eff.org</figcaption></figure>
<h2 id="q2">What did the EFF contribute to this UN consultation?</h2>
<p>The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) provided a detailed submission that identifies a severe deterioration of press freedom and free expression in Palestine since October 2023. Their analysis points to an increase in censorship, a wave of journalist killings, and an already pervasive regime of surveillance and content control. The submission focuses on three major areas: government takedown requests, disinformation and content moderation, and attacks on internet infrastructure. These elements collectively represent a deliberate effort to silence Palestinian voices.</p>
<h2 id="q3">How has press freedom in Palestine deteriorated since October 2023?</h2>
<p>According to EFF's findings, the period since October 2023 has witnessed a sharp escalation in threats to press freedom. This includes a significant rise in the killing of journalists—often deliberately targeted—alongside increased censorship of online and traditional media. Authorities have intensified surveillance and demands for content removal. These actions compound existing restrictions, making it nearly impossible for Palestinian journalists to report freely and safely. The international community has raised concerns in multiple forums, but the situation continues to worsen.</p>
<h2 id="q4">What role do government takedown requests play in suppressing Palestinian media?</h2>
<p>Government takedown requests are a central tool in the censorship regime documented by EFF. Authorities routinely demand that platforms remove content critical of Israeli policies or reporting on Palestinian suffering. This creates a chilling effect: journalists and outlets self-censor to avoid legal repercussions or platform bans. Takedown requests often lack transparency and due process, allowing authorities to silence legitimate reporting without accountability. The result is a narrowing of the information space, where only official narratives are permitted.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://www.eff.org/files/privacy_s-defender-site-banner-desktop.png" alt="EFF's UN Submission: Palestinian Press Freedom Under Siege" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: www.eff.org</figcaption></figure>
<h2 id="q5">How does disinformation and content moderation affect Palestinian journalists?</h2>
<p>Disinformation campaigns and platform content moderation practices disproportionately harm Palestinian journalists. False narratives—such as accusing reporters of being terrorists—are used to justify attacks or censorship. Meanwhile, automated moderation systems often flag legitimate reporting on human rights abuses as hate speech or incitement, leading to account suspensions or content removal. This dual pressure—both from state actors and tech platforms—forces journalists to operate under extreme constraints, limiting their ability to document and share the reality on the ground.</p>
<h2 id="q6">What are the consequences of attacks on internet infrastructure in Gaza?</h2>
<p>Attacks on internet infrastructure in Gaza have been deliberate and devastating. Bombing of telecommunications towers, data centers, and fiber optic cables has repeatedly cut off connectivity for millions of Palestinians. This digital isolation prevents journalists from uploading reports, communicating with editors, and accessing vital information. It also disrupts humanitarian aid coordination and medical services. EFF stresses that such attacks amount to collective punishment and violate international law. Restoring and protecting internet access is essential for the right to freedom of expression and access to information.</p>
<h2 id="q7">Why is ending the digital isolation of Palestinians a critical human rights concern?</h2>
<p>The deliberate digital isolation of the Palestinian people—through infrastructure attacks, censorship, and surveillance—directly undermines fundamental human rights. Without access to the internet, Palestinians cannot exercise their right to free expression, assemble online, or access information. Journalists cannot do their work, and the world is deprived of independent reporting from the region. Ending this isolation is not only a matter of press freedom but of accountability. As EFF's submission underscores, the international community must act to dismantle these digital barriers and ensure Palestinians can communicate freely and safely.</p>