The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) welcomes President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to unblock eight websites.

MADA hopes this is the start of a real improvement in media freedoms in Palestine.

This was not the case over the past year, during which MADA observed a reduction in media freedoms. In fact, last year for the first time Palestinian violations exceeded Israeli violations (106 and 100 respectively.)

MADA had called repeatedly for the above-mentioned websites to be unblocked, most recently on World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2012.

The blocking of any website is a serious violation of freedom of opinion and expression.

Information technology around the world allows humans to express their opinions and to communicate with others across the globe. It is unacceptable and – given the spread of technology – no longer feasible to attempt to prevent publication of opinions by blocking websites. 

MADA recognizes the vital role of journalists, media institutions and civil society organizations in taking a stand against the violations of media freedoms. These individuals and groups help to highlight the importance of media freedoms and will help to ensure freedom of opinion and expression in Palestine in the future.