ISRAEL DOES 311 MEDIA VIOLATIONS FROM JANUARY TO AUGUST

Bethlehem, 17 Dzulhijjah 1436/30 September 2015 (MINA) – On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Journalists (26th September), the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) greeted the journalists who are doing their job regardless the violations and obstacles facing them.

MADA’s general director Mr. Mousa Rimawi said that the violations against journalists and media outlets have escalated; where MADA monitored 311 violations in the period from January until the end of August, Palestine News Network (PNN) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Wednesday (30/9).

“This number is a bad sign regarding media freedoms status; that witnessed the worst and the bloodiest violations last year; where 465 violations were monitored, including the killing of 17 journalists in Gaza during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip last summer,” he added.

Mr. Rimawi said that MADA has launched a campaign this month under the slogan “Stop attacks against journalists” including online posts and radio spots. This campaign lobbies for stopping the attackers and sheds the light on the dangerousness of violations, and it is supported by the Open Society Foundations (OSF).

He stated, “Even though the Israeli violations are the most dangerous, but it was noticeable that the Palestinian violations are escalating and the censorship on social media is continuous; where the journalists and bloggers are being attacked and arrested for their writings on social media.”

MADA demanded a real solidarity with the Palestinian Journalist to stop the attacks against them, so they can do their job safely and freely.(T/P008/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)