In cooperation with Press House, Awda University College Organizes a Meeting about the Freedoms Reality in Gaza

23/11/2017--- In cooperation with Press House, the Awda University College organized a meeting entitled" the reality of media freedoms in the Gaza Strip"

The two-hour meeting included speeches for Mr. Ayman Al-Batniji, the spokesman of Palestinian Police, Dr. Bahaa Al-Din Seqally, Academic at Al-Awada college and the lawyer Monther Al-Frany.

Dr. Bahaa opened the meeting confirming that the Palestinian law is considered as a big space of democracy in the Arab world since it provides a platform to talk about freedoms and rights. However, there's no Arab country talks the way the Palestinian platform does.

He also noted that the Gaza Strip is a hot spot across the world for it witnessed siege and many interior political changes in the political policy especially in 2006, when Hamas was out of the political policy and was only taking the protesting role. Nevertheless, it was involved in politics and Gaza turned to be a media topic.

Al-Seqally stressed that the Electronic Crimes Law is oppressive, where the freedoms are violated. However, the media freedoms file must be a priority to the consensus government within the atmosphere of the national reconciliation.

In his turn, Mr. Ayaman Al-Batniji confirmed that the Palestinian police documented many encroachments committed by journalists especially in spreading wrong news and rumors in social media websites.

He added; " Preventing or being late in giving news to journalists is out of our hands, as some conditions force us to be restricted. We also are accurate in verification and recognition the details of the crimes; and we hope the various media outlets can take into their consideration our sensitive case."

Al-Batniji stressed that the media activists must not consider themselves as journalists, so they can publish and analyze news. It's only for media.

 He also noted that the relationship built with the different media outlets is strong enough upon honesty,  incredibility, and joint cooperation.

He explained that the police has provided a big space for practicing the freedoms and allowed them to recognize the critical issues that they cooperate to solve.

The lawyer Monther Al-Ferany confirmed that violating freedom of expression is one of the challenges most of journalists and their media organizations face. He explained that this happens due to the absence of a journalistic body that protects journalists and facilitates their work.

At the end of the meeting, the meeting came out with recommendations that the basic law must be applied on the ground, where media freedoms can be practiced.