February 24, 2012
Ramallah— A symposium has taken place at Al Khalil University in Hebron city, organized by the university’s Legal Clinic and the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), as well as the university’s Law and Communications Departments, and in conjunction with the Ministry of Information. Entitled “The Freedom of Information in Palestine: Law and Practice,” it was attended by representatives of various media outlets, a committee of professionals, jurists, and students of communications and law.
The symposium was opened by Dr. Mutaz Qafishah, professor of International Law at Al Khalil University and director of the Legal Clinic. He presented a paper concerning “international standards for the freedom of opinion, expression, and media freedoms,” based on Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, that declares it the duty of the government to respect media freedoms and offer protection to journalists. He called on journalists to exercise their rights.
Dr. Al Mutawakil Taha, deputy Minister of Information, gave a presentation entitled “Media Freedoms in Palestine,” focusing on the role of the Ministry. He asserted that there are five conditions to ensure media freedoms : firstly, the implementation of the laws governing media organizations and media work; secondly, the creation of a law that prevents imprisonment on the basis of any publication, no matter the opinions contained therein; thirdly, ensuring access to information and the confidentiality of its sources; fourthly, dedication of a union of journalists that guarantees their rights; and finally, developing the partnership between governmental and nongovernmental media organizations, with the latter serving as a watchdog and critic.
In his presentation, Ghazi Bani Owda, as representative of MADA, explained the organization’s efforts towards defending media freedoms and reducing violations against it, through programs and activities,. In addition, Mr. Bani Owda reviewed some of the issues concerning the media freedoms in oPt , which were covered in MADA’s annual report. He added that the annual report, which was released last week, documented a total of 206 media freedoms violations , a number not far from that of 2010, which saw 218 such violations.
Moreover, Mr. Bani Owda noted that the most egregious and tragic of the violations observed in the last year was the murder of Italian journalist Vittorio Arrigoni in Gaza. He made clear, however, that 106 of the violations that occurred were committed by Palestinian perpetrators (62 of which occurred in the Gaza Strip and 44 in the West Bank); while the Occupation forces and settlers were guilty of a total of 100 such violations. He further clarified that the violations committed by the Occupation constituted a major threat to the lives of journalists.
Mr. Rashad Tawam, coordinator of the Legal Clinic and lecturer at the university, presented his research entitled, “Legal Regulation of the Freedom of Information in Palestine” published by MADA, focusing on results and recommendations. He explained that there exists a paradoxical legislative vacuum when it comes to laws enforced on audio-visual media in Palestine. He called for an abolishment of the current legislation, the creation of a basic body of modern laws that govern the media and which ensure respect for its rights and freedoms, and the establishment of a Higher Council for the media to safeguard its independence from the executive branch. The book, prepared by Mr.Tawam, was based on research done by MADA and was launched in conjunction with the seminar, with each attendee receiving a copy.
Dr. Ahmed Sweti, director of the section of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law, who offered comments on the previous presentation and a reading that had been prepared for MADA’s most recently issued magazine. The highlight of his discussion was his insistence of the need to develop Palestinian law governing media.
The final presentation of the symposium was given by Dr. Saeed Shaheen, professor of communications at Al Khalil University. It focused on the impact that Palestinian political division on media freedoms, indicating the number of the violations against journalists occurring in the West Bank and Gaza due to the division. He appealed to the authorities concerned to expedite the reconciliation necessary in order to reduce violations of the freedom of the press.
Finally, the floor was opened to journalists and students in the audience, who raised a number of interesting questions and comments that were a positive contribution to the overall goal of the symposium.
