Ramallah – November 10, 2025 The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) has issued a comprehensive study titled “Digital Violence Faced by Media Professionals in Palestine”, which provides an in-depth analysis of the growing digital threats and violations targeting Palestinian journalists in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The study examines these challenges within a complex system involving the Israeli occupation, local authorities, and major technology companies.

This study comes at a time when digital transformation processes are accelerating globally, while the Palestinian cyberspace is increasingly becoming an arena of repression, surveillance, and control, rather than a free space for expression. The study documents more than 12 forms of digital violence targeting journalists and, based on surveys and field interviews, reveals the psychological, professional, and social impacts of these violations.

Prepared by WISAM ABU TUYOOR (Lead Researcher) and YOUNES BALLOUSHA (Assistant Researcher), the study was published as part of the project “Enhancing Civic Space and Social Accountability in Palestine”, funded by the European Union. Among its key recommendations are:

• The establishment of a specialized digital protection unit in Palestine;
• The development of a Palestinian legal framework that ensures the protection of digital rights;
• The provision of psychological and professional support for journalists who are victims of digital violence.

The study comprises eight main chapters based on analytical and field methodologies. It defines digital violence as a growing repressive tool whereby technology is used to threaten, extort, defame, track, or hack journalists. The report explains that both the Israeli occupation and the authorities in the West Bank and Gaza employ digital tools to monitor online content, block accounts, or summon journalists based on their online activity.

In its second chapter, the study highlights that defamation is the most common form of digital violence faced by journalists, as 55.6% reported being subjected to organized online smear campaigns, followed by data breaches and hacking (48.1%), electronic surveillance (46.3%), as well as other forms of digital abuse such as online harassment, threats, bullying, hate speech, and identity theft.

The study identifies three main actors responsible for digital violence against journalists:

1. The Israeli occupation, which exerts the most significant influence through cyber surveillance and algorithmic suppression of Palestinian content;
2. Local authorities in the West Bank and Gaza, which engage in security summons, intimidation, and restrictions on digital spaces under the pretext of public order;
3. Major technology companies, which contribute to digital violence through algorithmic tools that systematically reduce the visibility of Palestinian content and enable its deletion or restriction.

In its fourth chapter, the study documents the severe psychological, professional, and social repercussions of digital violence on Palestinian journalists. It reveals a clear gender gap in psychological distress, 80% of female journalists reported experiencing psychological pressure compared to 68.9% of male journalists. Additionally, 84% of journalists noted increased self-censorship, while 40% of female journalists said they had considered leaving the profession due to digital harassment, compared with 26.7% of male journalists. Socially, 52.9% of journalists said digital violence affected their family relationships, and 42.9% reported fearing for the safety of their family members after receiving direct threats.

The fifth chapter addresses Palestinian legislation, particularly the Cybercrime Law, highlighting challenges in aligning it with international standards, as well as the absence of clear legal frameworks protecting journalists digitally or ensuring access to information.

The study further examines existing digital protection tools, psychological support mechanisms, and safety measures adopted by journalists, noting limited institutional support and weak legal and technical infrastructure for protection.

Key Findings:

1. The scope of digital violence against Palestinian journalists has expanded to include defamation, threats, hacking, and surveillance, with increasing intensity since 2021.
2. Multiple perpetrators are involved, with the Israeli occupation being the most influential due to its technological control over Palestinian digital infrastructure.
3. Severe psychological effects, including chronic anxiety, depression, and declining self-confidence, especially among female journalists.
4. Professional repercussions, such as heightened self-censorship, avoidance of sensitive issues, and reduced journalistic productivity.
5. Significant legal gaps allow perpetrators to act with impunity amid weak local protection mechanisms.
6. Opaque digital policies by global technology companies negatively affect Palestinian content, leading to its deletion or algorithmic suppression.

To read the full study:

https://www.madacenter.org/article/1942/