On Press House First Anniversary .. The House Honors the Winners of its Annual Award for Free Media

Gaza/ Press House – Palestine honored the winners of its annual award for free media and celebrating its first anniversary in a ceremony held today evening, Wednesday, in its main office in Gaza.

“Mahmoud Abu Seedo”, a reporter for Al-Ketab channel, won the award of the best television report, while the best written investigative journalism report award was given to “Mohammed Othman”, and “Yasser Qdaih”, a photographer in Palestine Newspaper, was honored for the best press photo.

Mr. Belal Jadallah, the head of Press House, extended his appreciation and gratitude to everyone provided help and support to Press House from its first moments till now, especially the Swiss and the Norwegian governments.

Jadallah said:”Press House was an idea that turned into reality and a place that enhances freedom of expression and independent journalism based on objectivity and professionalism.”

He also clarified that Press House has become an incubator and a house for all the journalists, media workers, and intellectuals in the Gaza strip, a house that works on developing media performance, and that has neither representative nor syndicate-like nature.

“A year ago, we’ve developed a three-year strategic plan for empowering media performance and building the capacities of journalists and media workers, and we’ve successfully implemented the strategy during our first year,” He added

He also pointed out that the Press House has worked on seven major files during its first year, most importantly, training and building the capacities of media workers, and organizing a political program under “Face the Press” name between journalists and decision makers.

Jadallah said that the organization has also worked on supporting and serving young media groups that joined the house, which reached 23 groups with more than 1000 journalists.

He mentioned that Press House came up with a program for exchanging media best practices between new journalists and highly experienced foreign and Palestinian ones, as well as organizing meetings with diplomatic missions and journalists to talk about the reality of Palestinian journalism.

Jadallah pointed out that Press House hosted tens of activities and events organized by young media groups inside its building; to support their initiatives in a way that enhances freedom of expression and independent media.

Jadallah said that Press House has succeeded in turning its social forum to a place similar to beehive that gathers tens of diversified journalists.

Regarding the strategy for the current year, Jadallah pointed that the organization has started implementing the first phases of the strategic plan, choosing the 28th of May, 2014, to announce for launching “Sawa” an independent news agency. 

About “Sawa” Jadallah said:”It’s an independent news agency that belongs to Press House, was launched in May 2014, and works 24 hours/a day; to convey the truth objectively and professionally; to enhance freedom of speech and independent journalism in Palestine.”

He added:”Sawa was launched to give all the journalists, intellectuals, and opinion makers the right to publish their materials, and to provide a platform for new journalists and media workers that enables them from practicing journalism and developing their practical capabilities.”

“Sawa aims at enhancing the role of independent media to serve the national issues at the local and international levels, through improving its cadres and promoting freedom of speech in Palestine.” He added

The ceremony included various activities, most notably, presenting a movie that highlighted the Israeli major violations against the Palestinian journalists.

Press House also honored the organizations that supported the house.