In the face of a tragic humanitarian scene—where innocent lives are lost under relentless bombardment and war crimes are committed against unarmed civilians in Palestine—the living conscience must not remain silent, and a free press must neither be gagged nor bought by conditional funding.
At the MENA Editors Network, we firmly believe that press freedom is not neutrality in the face of crime, nor is it silence in the face of oppression. It is a clear stance—a complete alignment with justice and human dignity.
Despite the attempts of powerful entities to impose silence in exchange for continuity, there remain shining examples that remind us that an individual, once liberated from fear, can drive change.
Among these honorable examples is Moroccan engineer Ibtihel Abu Al-Saad, who chose to resign from her prestigious position at a global tech company when she realized that silence equates to complicity. She proved that values are not up for compromise, and that speaking the truth holds greater worth than any title or gain.
Today, journalism is undergoing a real test, amid immense pressure from institutions that were once expected to protect rights, yet are now retreating before the forces of politics and interests.
Thus, this statement is not merely a declaration—it is an open call for reflection and self-reckoning. A call for us all to stand where we should: beside the truth, not excuses… beside humanity, not the oppressor… beside principle, not profit.
Let us renew our commitment to upholding the banner of free journalism—one that cannot be tamed, bought, or dictated to.
Independence is not a luxury nor a slogan—it is the essence of real journalism and a prerequisite for its freedom, consciousness, and impact.
For history does not forgive those who remained silent or complicit—it immortalizes those who resisted injustice with words, and who stood for values when others chose silence.
Ibrahimoglu
Executive Director
MENA Editors Network
