Gaza- 19 April, 2016: The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms “MADA” wrapped up three days of a training workshop, on the–“Right to access information – building capacity” in Gaza city, that is funded by the representative office of Finland in Ramallah, The workshop lasted for three days- 18 hours of training, with the participation of 20 journalists from diverse work experiences in media outlets across Gaza Strip.

The workshop highlighted many important angles regarding the reality of the right to access information in Palestine; and the importance of passing a law in this regard.

 

 

The first and second day, focused on the right to access to information, especially the general comment of Article 19 in this matter, moreover, Dr. Ahmed Abu Al- Saeed, discussed the importance of enacting such a law in Palestine, which will benefit all segments of Palestinian society, in addition to reincarnation of characters during investigations, journalist work, and the confidentiality of information, and how to cover courts and judicial institutions news.

 

 

 

 

On the third day they focused on engaging participants in promoting the right to access information for media and the public, and come up with practical recommendations, in addition to the models about the procedures for obtaining information in accordance with the proposed law draft.

 

The workshop included training sessions on the concepts and terminology of human rights, freedom of opinion and expression in accordance with international standards.

 

 

In turn, the participants stressed the importance of conducting these sessions and workshops and the beneficial outcomes of the training, the journalist Shirin Khalifa said that the biggest benefit out of this session was through introducing and training the participants on mechanisms of obtaining information and how to promote the law through media.

 

At the end of training, participants expressed their complete contentment and the need for such training that develop journalists’ capacities in access to information and learn about publishing offenses and ethics of journalism.