Wattan reflects on the war in Gaza

In a Q&A with IMS, partners from Palestine describe how priorities have changed and challenges mounted since 7 October 2023.

Please describe what your organisation normally does, and how you have had to prioritise your work in Gaza and on the West Bank since October 2023.

Wattan is an award-winning, independent and secular media network in Palestine with offices in Ramallah, Hebron and Gaza. Over the past 28 years, Wattan has established itself as an important voice of Palestinian citizens, civil society, marginalised communities and groups, women and, most significantly, youth.

Wattan Media Network used to provide independent, credible media coverage across Palestine. However, since the war began on 7 October 2023, Wattan has had to shift its focus drastically to prioritize covering the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

During the destruction, which have included Wattan’s offices and the loss of three journalists’ entire families, Wattan continued its “Voices from Gaza” series.

This initiative focuses on documenting the severe conditions – displacement, hunger, death – faced by civilians, especially women, children, and people with disabilities. Despite severe challenges, such as loss of income because of halt of advertisements and donations, threats to journalists’ safety, and difficulties in maintaining communication and power, Wattan continues to produce these stories and share with an international audience. Wattan has also prioritized safety, mental health and psychosocial support for its staff.

Times of war time call for a heightened focus on combatting inflammatory speech and disinformation. We have launched “Daqeeq” (meaning Accurate); Wattan Fact Checking – Fighting Misinformation and Disinformation; Hate Speech and ‎Rumors; and Promoting Media and Digital Literacy.

What has been your most important task this year?

Wattan Media Network’s most important task this year has been maintaining its critical role as an independent media organisation. Moreover, Wattan’s work has reflected its dedication to covering the priorities and needs of marginalized groups. This year alone, it has produced over 2,500 human-interest stories that focus on vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

What has been an important work-related lesson learned these past 12 months?

After the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in November 2023, which resulted in the complete destruction of our Gaza office and loss of vital equipment, we recognized the critical need to provide our journalists with adaptive equipment and to store such equipment outside of offices when possible. This allows for greater operational flexibility in case of emergency.

Going forward, what do you see as your most important priority?

Wattan Media Network’s most important priority is to ensure its financial sustainability. This is essential for continuing its critical work of news gathering and producing media content. This is even more important in the context of the collapse of the Palestinian economic life and the subsequent loss of source of income from local advertisement.

An illustration of crumbling buildings. Artwork: Haisam Al Saiegh — Artwork: Haisam Al Saiegh

The priority encompasses securing funds to cover the production expenses for independent and accurate news, factchecking, humanitarian focus media, purchasing adapted equipment to replace what has been destroyed, and ensuring the payment of salaries for journalists, especially given the recent challenges posed by the war in Gaza and the West Bank. Financial stability will enable Wattan to maintain its role as a strong independent voice for marginalized communities and uphold its commitment to credible media coverage despite the ongoing threats.

What is one thing you wish the world knew about your life and work since October 2023?

It is important to understand that the suffering of the Palestinian people in both the West Bank and Gaza has not started in October 2023. The suffering was always there, it just drastically deteriorated to unimaginable levels with on the one hand the genocide in Gaza and on the other hand the slow death in the West Bank.

In Gaza, journalists are suffering to merely charge their mobile and cameras and if they manage, usually in hospitals, the latter are being deliberately targeted.

The people in the West Bank are not spared and journalists have been violently attacked by settlers to the extent that it is safer to remove the PRESS sign on cars.