Press House holds its annual conference for 2021 on the topic of "Media Freedoms and Violations"

Gaza - Press House

On Thursday, November 25, 2021, with consideration of high preventive measures to prevent the outbreak of Coronavirus, Press House - Palestine (BAS) held its annual conference 2021 on the topic of "Media Freedoms and Violations" in the Gaza City.

The conference was attended by Mr. Belal Jadallah "Head of Board", Mr. Viktor Vavricka "the Swiss ambassador in Palestine", delegations from the Swiss representative, the French representative, OCHA office, UNSCO office, representatives of international and local organizations, different diplomatic bodies, media professionals (women & men), writers, intellectuals and a number of journalists and media activists.

At beginning of conference, Mr. Belal Jadallah thanks the Swiss, Norwegian, French, Canadian governments and the European Endowment for Democracy for their continuous support for Press House, media freedoms and the right in freedom of expression.

In his speech, Mr. Jadallah indicated that the conference discussing the media freedoms case in Palestine, saying that "It comes under special situations because of many challenges occurred during this year, as Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip".

Mr. Viktor Vavricka "Swiss ambassador in Palestine "thanked Mr. Belal Jadallah "Head of Board", the international community representatives, journalists and the attendees, during his speech; "Switzerland was the first supporter for Press House and contributed in Press House establishment 2013", mentioned that Switzerland has been committed in empowering a free, fair and independent press in Palestine" Mr. Vavricka said.

In addition, Mr. Vavricka stressed that "It’s important to have an institution like Press House that allows journalists to combine between human rights in their work and journalism"; At the end of his speech, Mr. Vavricka stressed that "Switzerland will continue support file of human rights and protect the journalists in Palestine."

EU's representative in Palestinian Territories Mr. Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, gave a speech at Press House annual conference on media freedoms 2021. He said that European Union is interested in supporting the press, journalists, colleagues and officials of social media platforms, in order to hold governments accountability, because the EU is interesting in finding unique media scene.

The ministers of Palestinian government were visited Gaza Strip and attended Press House annual conference for media freedoms. Mr. Mohammed Ziyara "the Minister of Public Works and Housing", mentioned that the Palestinian government is proud of Palestinian journalists work, hoping that next time the meeting will be in the Jerusalem city.

The conference was two sessions addressing key issues and topics linked to violations against media freedoms and human rights with and details about numbers linked to media freedoms.

During the presentation Press House Annual Report on Media Freedoms 2021 was presented.