Ramallah – 4th June 2013: The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) demands the release of the general manger of Radio Bethlehem 2000 George Canawati, who was detained by the Public Prosecutors in Bethlehem for publishing a press release by Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades on the Radio’s webpage, the press release turned out to be fake, so Canawati then published a statement denying the press release.
Canawati’s lawyer Osama Abu Zakya reported to MADA that his client received a summon to appear before the public prosecutor at 11:30 am on Monday 3rd June 2013, he accompanied Canawati to the public prosecutors and listened to the investigation, which revolved only on the publishing of the press release of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and what was rumored of investigating Canwati on criminal charges that was untrue. Abu Zakya added: “big pressure was put on George to disclose the source of the press release”.
MADA stresses that the arrest Canawati contradicts with HYPERLINK "http://www.madacenter.org/news.php?lang=1&id=78" the statement by the president of prosecutor Dr. Ahmad Borak "We the public prosecutors have a moral obligation to respect freedom of expression and must not imprison journalists, and I hope that this becomes a legal obligation." A statement by Dr. Borak during a round table meeting organized by MADA on “Freedom of expression and publishing crimes” recently on 25th April 2013.
To pressure a journalist to reveal the source of his information without a court order is completely contrary to Article 4 - Branch D of the Press and Publications Law, which states: "the right of the printed press and news agency, editor and journalist in keeping the sources of information or news that is obtained confidential unless the court decides otherwise during the consideration of criminal proceedings to protect the security of the State or to prevent crime or investigation to justice”.
In addition, Article 25 of the Press and Publications Law describes the procedures for publishing incorrect news "If you publish printed press news that is incorrect, or articles that contains incorrect information, then the person who relates to the news or article shall have the right to respond to the news or article and demand its correction. The chief editor of the official publication must publish a reply or a correction for free in the issue that follows the date of receiving the request, on the same space and with the same characters in which the original news or article was published in the printed press”. Radio Bethlehem Webpage published immediately a denial of the press release after confirming the lack of its credibility.
