UN Condemns US and Israel Silence on Press Freedom during Iran War

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights (HRC) Volker Turk has condemned attempts to stifle freedom of speech and the press in Israel and the United States (US) while the war is still raging in the Middle East.

"We are witnessing a sharp tightening of security in civilian spaces across the region, with the government imposing strict restrictions on people exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," Turk said in a statement quoted by Al Jazeera, Wednesday, April 1.

Turk then highlighted the steps taken by the Israeli and US governments to implement threats, intimidation, and repression against journalists who inform honest, accurate, and balanced news amid the US-Israel vs Iran war.

"Efforts to restrict media freedom, such as restrictions imposed by the Israeli military censorship authorities, and threats by the US Federal Communications Commission to revoke broadcast licenses for coverage deemed critical of the war," said Turk.