In 1973, I reported freely on Israel at war. Now its censorship has made that impossible | Martin Bell
Briefly

The article reflects on the contrast between media coverage of the current Gaza conflict and that of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Back then, journalists had relatively open access to the battlefield, with minimal censorship that focused on operational security. This openness allowed reporters to capture the surrender of the Egyptian army and provide independent validation of military narratives. The IDF fostered a policy of cooperation with journalists, ensuring coverage was both accurate and reflective of the humanitarian aspects of warfare while maintaining security protocols.
The Israeli Defense Forces allowed journalists access, balancing operational security with the need for coverage, relying on mutual benefit rather than strict censorship.
In the Yom Kippur War, the IDF provided escort officers to media, demonstrating a policy of relatively open access that facilitated reporting while ensuring military security.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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