Ramallah- 04/05/2016: a delegation from the British Consulate –General Jerusalem headed by Dr. Alastair McPhail HM Consul- General, including Laurie Hunter Consul Political and Farah Abu Sahliya Communications manager, visited the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms “MADA” on the world press freedom day, were they met with Mr. Nihad Hassouneh a Board member, Ghazi Bani Odeh the Monitoring and documentation officer and Razan Namari Project coordinator- right to access information. 

 

During the meeting, MADA team provided a summary of the reality of media freedoms in Palestine, that is subjected to violations and abuses, particularly Israeli ones, which is considered to be the most serious and dangerous that are escalating on a fast pace, moreover the meeting highlighted all MADAs’ programs and efforts in protecting and defending media freedoms in Palestine, in addition to all the contribution in developing performance, and law reforms, or enactments to be in line with international standards.

 

The meeting included an extensive discussion about the reality of freedom of opinion and expression and the challenges faced by journalists and media outlets in Palestine, and the importance of the international community to pressure on Israeli to end all Israeli violations against journalists and media freedoms that are considered as grave breaches as physical attacks against journalists equivalent to 42% of the total Israeli violations, and shutting down 5 media outlets and institutions between May 2015-2016 in the West Bank by IOF.

 

Dr. Alastair McPhail HM Consul- General praised MADA’s efforts and uniqueness as the leading organization in the field of freedom expression, opinion and media freedoms , he also emphasized  his support for MADA’s achievements and contribution, and the possibility of opening prospects for cooperation in future for promoting freedom of expression and opinion.