On Saturday, July 19, the Guild hosted a free showing of Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films’ “Gaza: Journalists Under Fire.” The documentary tells the story of three journalists killed in Gaza, among the 178 journalists killed since the start of the conflict after the Oct. 7 attacks and the documentary's production.The death toll has now risen to more than 185 journalists killed, including 171 Palestinian journalists, four Israeli journalists, nine Lebanese journalists and one Syrian journalist, according to the International Federation of Journalists.
Brave New World Films is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to making educational films that inspire change. According to its website, “Brave New Films has created a quick-strike capability that informs the public, challenges mainstream media with the truth, and motivates people to take action on social issues nationwide.”
Other films by Brave New World have covered voter suppression, the prison-industrial complex and anti-Asian racism in the wake of Covid-19.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza is the deadliest conflict for journalists in history, according to the documentary. More journalists were killed in the first 18 months of Israel’s bombings than were killed in the American Civil War, both World Wars, the Vietnam War and the war in Afghanistan combined.
“Gaza: Journalists Under Fire” told the story of Bilal Jadallah, the director of Press House - Palestine, an independent, Gaza-based news organization. Jadallah was a mentor for young Palestinian journalists and an advocate for free-press. According to the documentary, he was killed by an Israeli tank while trying to flee to safety. He was the 49th journalist killed.
Another journalist featured was Heba Al-Albada, the 13th female journalist killed and 84th journalist killed overall. She was the co-founder of Social Media Club - Palestine, understanding the importance of using social media to highlight Palestinian voices. She was killed in December of 2023 alongside her mother and young daughter.
Lastly, the documentary included Ismail Al-Ghoul who covered an Israeli raid on a UN shelter in Gaza. He was killed, alongside his camera-man after their press vehicle was struck in an airstrike near the Shati refugee camp. They were the 126th and 127th killed.
The documentary combined footage from Palestine news reporters, footage of international leaders and expert testimony from analysts and journalists.
Beyond the stories of specific journalists, the documentary covered the general state of reporting in Gaza. Some journalists in Gaza have started removing press vests, feeling the gear meant to label and protect them was making them targets instead.
The film also highlighted the blockage of international journalists from reporting in Gaza, making the job of Palestinian reporters all the more important and dangerous. Jodie Ginsberg, former reporter with Reuters and current chief executive of the Committee to Protect Journalists in an interview with the documentarians called the barring of international press by Israel “unprecedented.”
“What we can do is whatever we choose to do. But it’s what we choose to do inside of ourselves. If we can’t change what’s going on inside of us, we can’t change what’s going on outside of us,” Daniel Osuna, a guest speaker as part of the Guild’s post-screening panel discussion, said.
Following the showing, organizers were collecting donations to rebuild and support Press House - Palestine. The table also sold zines and natural remedies, the proceeds of which also supported the Press House.
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“People are the ultimate resource,” Osuna said. “We need to break the barrier of fear.”
Addison Fulton is the culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
