Articles by Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
Violations of media freedoms in November 2011
November has seen no improvement for Palestinian journalists or media freedoms in the occupied Palestinian territories, reminding those in the field of journalism of the high price paid for disseminating the truth.
MADA helps to establish Arab Network for Freedom of Expression
MADA General Director Mousa Rimawi stated that the network would focus on media freedoms in the Arab world and will work towards compiling clearly defined legislation protecting freedom of opinion and expression to be applied in new laws and constitutions.
Ministry of Interior attempts to ban social media conference
Members of the investigative security services came to the venue and ordered an immediate end to the conference under the pretence that they did not hold a licence from the Ministry of the Interior and declared the event illegal.
MADA and DCAF sign partnership agreement on access to information rights
The project’s goal is to increase journalists’ awareness of their rights and to push for the adoption of laws protecting access to information.
Thirty-one IFEX members call on authorities to disclose whereabouts of journalist Dawit Isaak
After hearing rumours of the death of Dawit Isaak, an Swedish-Eritrean journalist held without charge for ten years, 31 members of IFEX are asking President Isaias Afewerki to confirm that he is still alive and if so, to release him from prison.
Violations of media freedoms in October 2011
Palestinian journalists faced a difficult month in October, with MADA monitoring an increased number of violations committed by the IDF and settlers across the West Bank.
Seventy-seven civil society organisations call on UN to recognise importance of access to information and a free media to sustainable development
Prior to the UN summit of world leaders in Rio in June 2012 (Rio+20) to discuss the environment and sustainable development goals, 77 civil society organisations recommend the adoption of national laws on access to information, public participation and access to justice in the environment, a new UN convention on access to environmental information, and a UN Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Escalation of settler attacks on journalists
In two separate incidents, an Al-Jazeera crew and four Palestinian journalists were attacked by settlers throwing stones; the latest attack resulted in one journalist being treated at a hospital for severe head contusions.