Press House and Al-Aqsa University organize Capacity Building Program on the Legal Protection Manual for Journalists

Gaza – Press House

Press House – Palestine (BAS) and Al-Aqsa University held several training courses about the “Legal Protection Manual for Journalists” issued by Press House to raise the legal awareness level for media staff and volunteers, as part of “Strengthening Free & Independent Media in Palestine” project activities funded by the Norwegian and the Swiss Governments.

With consideration of high prevention measures to prevent the outbreak of COVID19, the training lasted for three days for a number of media staff and volunteers (women and men) working at media institutions at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza.

Mr. Abdullah Sharshra, Coordinator of the Legal Protection Unit for Journalists at Press House, said “Press House has issued a legal guide which aims to raise the legal culture for the Palestinian journalists theoretically and practically by providing them with legal knowledge in the Palestinian law and the international standards related to the media freedoms and to protect journalists when they are exposed to violations. These outcomes will enhance the legal environment in the journalistic field.

From his part, Dr. Gassan Harb, Head of the Press Department at Media faculty at Al-Aqsa University, welcomed the idea of cooperation with Press House pointing out the importance of strengthening the practical aspect for journalists (women and men) and media graduates. He also emphasized that legal awareness in the practical aspect is more important than the theoretical and academic one.

Ms. Aya Al Moghrabi, Mr. Monther Al-Farany, and Mr. Yousif Karsoo, (lawyers and facilitators of the training course) reviewed the aspects of the Legal Protection Manual for Journalists issued by Press House and the legal framework for journalistic work. Also, they mentioned the most important problems facing journalists during their work such as recording and photography issues and focusing on journalist’s rights in front of law enforcement.

The training course included the available legal protection for journalists during armed conflicts, the procedures of documenting violations on the media freedoms and the legal controls for drafting media materials, the right to respond, and maintaining the confidentiality of the sources.

At the end of the training course, Dr. Ayman Sobh, Head of Al-Aqsa University thanked Press House for their efforts for serving the journalists (women and men) and media graduates.

It's noteworthy that on Monday, March 15, 2021, Press House Palestine (BAS) and the Media Faculty at Al-Aqsa University have signed a joint memorandum of understanding based on mutual trust, sustainability, and serving the public interest by raising the level of Media Faculty students’ awareness and experiences at Al-Aqsa University.