Gaza Journalist Claims Hamas Controls All Media in the Strip

Motaz Azaiza, a Gaza-based journalist who gained international fame after leaving the strip in 2024 and was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people, has revealed details about media operations within Gaza. In a podcast, Azaiza alleged that Hamas maintains a management group comprising all journalists in the Gaza Strip, dictating what content should be published and what should be suppressed.

The article notes Azaiza's own history, including posts expressing joy over the October 7th attacks and subsequent killings of Israelis, his alleged concealment of footage showing Gazans attacking hostages, and his reported support for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The author asserts that no journalist operating long-term within Gaza under Hamas rule can function independently, as they are compelled to adhere to Hamas-provided narratives.

This alleged control has been particularly pronounced during the current war. The article cites the "starvation campaign" promoted by Palestinian journalists, which was reportedly amplified by mainstream Israeli media outlets, including Channel 12. The author concludes that under Hamas's governance, free press does not exist in Gaza, and any deviation from the organization's narrative can result in severe consequences for journalists, including physical harm or death.