Bethlehem- May 25, 2017 - The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) rapped up 2-day training on self-censorship for journalists and media students in the South of the West Bank (Hebron & Bethlehem).

The training course tackled various aspects of the topic of self-censorship practiced by the journalist, the local and international laws and regulations and how journalists can protect themselves.

Trainer, Majid Arouri, a specialist in the field of media and rights addressed issues pertaining to freedom of opinion and expression and the laws that regulate such freedom, the various laws and Palestinian constitution regulating this right, laws of publication- within the context as Palestine has endorsed many international conventions and treaties that call upon respect of the right of freedom of expression and a journalist’s right to convey information deemed appropriate, be it through media outlets or the various social networks.

The coordinator of the “self-censorship” project, Sharif Haj Ali, presented the opening remarks by presenting the activities carried out by MADA and its programs aiming at promoting freedom of expression and the development of the Palestinian media. He pointed to the importance of this training course which will deepen the journalists' knowledge of their rights according to the laws, having a better understanding of what self-censorship means given the many factors that affect their work within the Palestinian context.

The training included several sessions on the concept and types of self-censorship, the consequences of its practice, and the role of the professional media in monitoring the work of governments and the management of public affairs, and the basic legal terms in domestic legislation and international covenants.

This workshop is part a project funded by the European Endowment for Democracy and is part of a series of activities implemented by the MADA Center to raise awareness and knowledge of self-censorship.

 Certificates were distributed to the participants at the end of the training, which is one of a series of trainings organized by MADA Center within this project.