Ramallah-23/9/2015 the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) has issued a new study on “The citizen journalist and freedom of expression in Palestine- Gaza as a model”.

The study sheds the light on the contribution of the citizen journalism in enhancing freedom of expression, and its role in raising different social issues.

This study is the tenth media study issues by MADA within its efforts that aim to develop media and freedom of expression in Palestine and reform of the legal media environment. The 63 page study was prepared by the researcher and women journalist Mervat Ouf and with the supervision of media lecturer at Al-Aqsa University Dr. Ahmad Hammad; and it was supported by the Open Society Foundation.

The study showed that 88% of the people who answered the survey; see that citizen journalism enhanced freedom of expression.

The study showed 74% said that they sometimes supplied media outlets with information and news on the situation in Gaza, while 26% said the citizen journalist always provides the media outlets with news and information. 56% said the citizen journalism contributed in revealing corruption.

According to the study, the biggest challenge facing the citizen journalists is the threats of arresting, followed by the challenge of the censorship.

The study recommended the urge to create an ethical code as a reference for the citizen journalists in Palestine that should include a number of ethical principles and standards as well copyrights and privacy. It also should raise the awareness of the ethics of freedom of expression for the citizen journalists according to the international standards. The study also recommends creating league for the Palestinian social media activists to support their activism and to qualify the best citizen journalists to enhance their talents.

The study link in Arabic:

http://www.madacenter.org/media.php?lang=2&id=784&category_id=7