18 April 2011: The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) hosted the workshop "freedom of opinion and expression and media freedoms from a legal perspective" in the Bureij camp, Gaza Strip, on Saturday 16 April.

Workshop participants confirmed the necessity for journalists not to be involved with or incriminated in internal disputes, with all supporting data clearly showing that the internal crisis has a negative impact on the media freedoms in the Palestinian territories.

MADA’s Gaza coordinator Dr. Ahmed Hammad discussed the importance of the role played by MADA in monitoring media freedom violations, adding that, thanks to MADA’s reports numerous local, Arab and international organizations, and thousands of people are more aware of the status of media freedoms and the media situation in Palestine.

Hammad also noted the importance of ongoing cooperation between MADA and civil society institutions in many activities surrounding legislation concerning journalist’s rights, and raising awareness among journalists and media workers of their legal and social rights.

Dr. Hammad explained that this workshop comes as part of a series of workshops held by MADA in the governorates of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, aimed at raising and enriching awareness promoting the idea of democratization and freedom of opinion and expression in Palestine.

MADA legal unit adviser Karem Nashwan explained the right of freedom of expression and opinion in the Palestinian Basic Law and the Law of Press and Publication as well as concepts of media work, journalism and ethics, pointing to the historical development of the concept of modern media.

Nashwan said that press power is an ethical and moral power which must be characterized by objectivity, professionalism and credibility. Nashwan also reviewed the definition of international humanitarian law and discussed the ways of dealing with journalists in times of war and crises, distinctions between civil reporters and military correspondents, and how to handle press and publications law including licensing issues and offenses against journalists in the Gaza Penal Code.

Participants discussed numerous issues and thanked MADA for its work in defending journalists.

The workshop was held in association with the Rehabilitation and Development center of the Palestinian House in the Bureij camp in the central province of Gaza Strip, with the support Foundation for the Future, and attended by 20 journalists and individuals interested in issues of media freedoms and expression.

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Contact:

Riham Abu Aita
Public Relation Officer
Ramallah
riham@madacenter.org
www.madacenter.org
00970 2 2976519