Rafah: 25 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 Rafah/Gaza Strip, 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 Rafah and Khanyounis/ Gaza Strip.

 

All participants of the workshop emphasized the urgent need of enacting “Access to information” law in Palestine, due to numerous obstacles they face while performing their daily work, in seeking and obtaining information from official institutions. 

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 workshop focused on the right to access to information, and the importance of passing a law in this regard in Palestine, which will benefit all segments of Palestinian society, besides, they were also trained on reincarnation of characters during investigations, journalist work, and the confidentiality of information, and how to cover courts and judicial institutions news.

Participants were divided into several working groups in order to engage them in advocating the public and media towards the importance of enacting “right to access information law”.

 

During those three days, Dr. Ahmad Hammad, Dr. Ghassan Harb  lectured at the session( professors of Media department at Al-Aqsa University), in addition to Dr. Karem Nashwan Legal advisor.

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

 

And all legislation governing freedom of media and press, in the Arab countries and the importance of harmonizing it with international standards, furthermore, they discussed press freedoms in Palestine and other Arab countries at the legislative and practical levels and compared it to international standards, they also focused on the significant role of media in raising awareness regarding the right of access to information.

 

At the end of training, participants expressed their complete contentment of the benefit during the training, the journalist Ahmad Abu Jarad informed MADA, that this training allowed journalists to recognize new methods to seek and obtain information, and how to promote the importance of enacting a law that will enhance and empower journalists, researchers and information seekers to perform their work.