The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) held a two-day workshop on Palestinian media freedoms and laws for students in the Faculty of Media at Al-Najah National University in Nablus on 18,19 July 2012.

The workshop was run by MADA’s legal unit and funded by non-profit organization Foundation For Future (FFF).

MADA will hold similar workshops in the near future at other universities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to help educate the Palestinian journalists of the future.

Trainer Mohammed Abu Arqoub, a specialist in media law and media ethics, discussed existing and proposed print and publications law, such as the right of access to information, audio-visual media and the Supreme Council for Information. 

Abu Arqoub shed light on the issues of slander and libel under the Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, which remains in force in the West Bank. Participants completed practical exercises relating to previous trials of Palestinian journalists for libel and slander.

Abu Arqoub also explained seven legal defense arguments available to journalists whose work has exposed them to legal action. He also pointed out that the first fundamental protection for journalists is their professionalism in reporting on the news.

On the second day, trainer Jihad Harb discussed human rights under international conventions, focusing on freedom of opinion and expression. He also touched on freedom of opinion and expression under Palestinian basic law. 

Harb also talked about the role of civil society institutions in protecting journalists and promoting freedom of opinion and expression as a fundamental right which must be respected by all. He outlined the mechanisms for protecting freedom of expression and how to hold accountable those who have violated media freedoms.

The students reported that the course was useful and will help to guide their approach to journalism and reporting. They expressed an interest in future training offered by MADA Center. 

The participants agreed that transparent and fair media laws are a key pillar of media freedoms in Palestine.