In the report, MADA notes a significant decline in violations against journalists in April 2012.
(MADA/IFEX) – The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) has welcomed a significant decrease in media freedoms violations in the Palestinian territories in April 2012, compared to the previous few months.
Key Israeli violations against media freedoms:
Israeli occupation forces raided the headquarters of Hona Al-Quds network in Jerusalem, confiscating equipment and arresting two employees. They also arrested a reporter from the Quds Press News Agency, Mohamad Anwar Mona, in Nablus. In addition, freelance photographer, Ahmad Daghlas, was severely injured in the head by Israeli forces while covering the Al Nabi Saleh weekly march against the Wall.
Israeli authorities extended the administrative detention of Al-Quds TV program coordinator, Nawaf Al Amer, for three more months and postponed the trial of journalist Ra’d Al Shareif, presenter of Marah Radio in Hebron. They also attacked a photographer for the popular resistance media office, Hilmi Al-Tamimi, in Al Nabi Saleh village while he was covering the village’s weekly march against the Wall. On the same day, Israeli forces also detained freelance photographer Bilal Al-Tamimi for four days.
Key Palestinian violations against media freedoms:
The Palestinian Preventive Security Service arrested Zaman Media Group correspondent Tariq Kamis from his workplace in Al Beira city near Ramallah. They also arrested blogger Jamal Abu Rehan, who is an activist against corruption on Facebook, in Al Jeftlik village in Jericho Governorate.
He has been accused of defaming a public employer through the Facebook page, “People want to end corruption.”
Recommendations:
While MADA welcomes the decrease in violations and assaults against journalists, it hopes this progress will continue in the coming months and years. MADA condemns all violations against media freedoms and freedom of speech—rights which are guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Palestinian Basic Law.
MADA calls for an end to all violations against journalists and Palestinian media outlets in the Palestinian territories, so that journalists can work as professionals and without fear.