Ramallah- 14/4/2015: The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms convened its annual meeting yesterday in Ramallah. The meeting was held in the presence of the undersecretary of the Ministry of Information Dr. Mahmoud Khalifa, Mr. Dawoud Dawoud from the ministry and the auditor Mr. Nabil Zaidan.

 

MADA’s Chairman Dr. Ghazi Hanania chaired the meeting and presented the most prominent achievements that MADA has accomplished last year within its four programs as following: the monitoring and documentation program, the legal unit program, the advocacy program and the media development program. Dr. Hanania pointed out that last year witnessed an escalation in the violations against media; where 17 journalists and media workers were killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces during the latest Israeli attack on Gaza Strip in summer 2014.

 

MADA’s administrative report included details that summarize all the activities implemented within its four programs; including releasing periodic reports that documented violations against media freedoms in Palestine. The center released monthly, semi-annual and annual reports in addition to two special reports; one on the violations against journalists covering weekly peaceful demonstrations in the West Bank, and the other was on the crimes committed against media freedoms during the Israeli attack on Gaza Strip.

 

The report revealed that MADA’s lawyers offered 43 free legal consultancy and help for journalists in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Also, MADA held 19 specialized training workshops on freedom of expression, media laws and access to information for judges, lawyers, prosecutors and media students; where 555 participants in total attended these workshops.

 

Dr. Hanania pointed out that MADA produced a documentary film on crimes and violations against journalist and media freedoms during the Israeli attack on Gaza Strip. Besides, MADA released a study on the Palestinian Official Media; the center also launched two campaigns to reform media laws and to limit self-censorship.

 

Dr. Hanania thanked all those who support MADA’s programs and the local partners especially the Higher Judicial Council, the General Prosecutor Office and the Palestinian Bar Association, As well as the Palestinian Universities and all the partners in the Civil Society and Governmental Organizations.

 

There also was a discussion about issues related to the work of MADA; where the members gave suggestions and recommendations that aim to enhance and develop the center’s work regarding media freedoms and freedom of expression in general. The participants approved both the administrative and financial reports after discussing them.