War Footage, Censorship, and the Media’s Double Standard

By: Seringe ST Touray

Western media when Iranian authorities restrict war footage:
“Censorship. Authoritarian. Hiding the truth.”

Western media when Israel or the UAE restrict war footage:
“Security reasons. Understandable. Responsible reporting.”

Same missiles, different principles.

During the current conflict, Israel has imposed military censorship rules prohibiting journalists from publishing details or footage of damage from Iranian missile and drone strikes, particularly near military sites, without military approval. Violations can carry prison sentences of up to 15 years under state security laws. In the United Arab Emirates, authorities have also charged 21 people, including a 60 year-old British tourist, under cybercrime laws for filming or sharing footage of missile strikes and damage inside the country.