Story perspectives

CPJ Cuts Gaza Journalist Death Toll, Ousts Board Member

6/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

CPJ removed board member Nika Soon-Shiong after she questioned the exclusion of Palestinian journalists from its Gaza death count.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad published obituaries labeling listed journalists as combatants, leading CPJ to remove twenty journalists and set Gaza death toll at 209.
Critics such as activist Sopo Japaridze and author Mohamed El-Kurd say the review shows bias because journalists from Israel, the United States and Ukraine remain classified as journalists.

History

Historical Context

When the ICCPR entered into force on 23 March 1976, the UN committed signatories to protect freedom of expression, including journalists. The treaty now has 175 parties, yet enforcement gaps persist; CPJ’s recent removal of Nika Soon-Shiong and its classification of 209 Gaza deaths as combatants echo earlier disputes over journalist protection, prompting Reporters Without Borders to call for accountability.

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Story summary

CPJ removed board member Nika Soon-Shiong after she questioned the exclusion of Palestinian journalists from its Gaza death count.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad published obituaries labeling listed journalists as combatants, leading CPJ to remove twenty journalists and set Gaza death toll at 209.
Critics such as activist Sopo Japaridze and author Mohamed El-Kurd say the review shows bias because journalists from Israel, the United States and Ukraine remain classified as journalists.

1 / 2