CPJ Upholds Broad Definition of 'Journalist' in Gaza Casualty Row

The organization affirmed that people working for militant-linked media can count as journalists so long as they were not engaged in combat and it will complete a full audit of its Gaza casualty list.

Overview

CPJ issued a public statement saying it will keep its longstanding, expansive definition of who counts as a journalist and will finish a full review of its Gaza 'journalists killed' database.
Reporting has said the board voted overwhelmingly to retain that definition, with one reported dissenting vote from a Fox News representative.
CPJ has already removed at least 20 names from the Gaza list after finding those individuals were confirmed to be armed operatives, and it says it removes anyone found to be actively engaging in combat or inciting imminent violence.
Watchdog groups including HonestReporting and open-source researchers have alleged that many entries on CPJ’s list had ties to militant groups, a claim that has driven the current review and public dispute with the Israel Defense Forces over specific cases.
The controversy has produced internal upheaval at CPJ, including the reported removal of board member Nika Soon-Shiong, and it threatens to reshape how news organizations, diplomats, and rights bodies cite and verify press-casualty tallies when independent access to Gaza is restricted.