(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 25 May 2000 IFJ media release: Wattan TV Reopens After Palestinian Journalists Campaign After a vigorous campaign by the Palestinian Syndicate of Journalists (PSJ) Wattan TV yesterday was allowed to restart broadcasting. The independent station had been off the air for three days after a closure by the Palestinian […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 25 May 2000 IFJ media release:
Wattan TV Reopens After Palestinian Journalists Campaign
After a vigorous campaign by the Palestinian Syndicate of Journalists (PSJ) Wattan TV yesterday was allowed to restart broadcasting. The independent station had been off the air for three days after a closure by the Palestinian police.
The PSJ had denounced the action by the police, issued press releases in support of Wattan TV and lobbied the Palestinian National Authority to stop the closure of the station.
On May 23 the Minister of Information Yasser Abed Rabbo informed Wattan TV that they could resume broadcasting but after only a few minutes on the air the police appeared at the station, ordered it closed and arrested the manager, Omar Nazzal.
The PSJ intervened and succeeded in securing the release of Omar Nazzal and overturning the closure order.
“The PSJ has helped us enormously,” said Omar Nazzal. “They came to the police station just minutes after my arrest and they succeeded in getting me released and our TV station back on the air.”
The IFJ General Secretary Aidan White congratulated the PSJ and its president Na’em Toubassi for their efforts. He said that the PSJ action showed that in spite of the pressures media professionals face, a united union of journalists could make a difference to press freedom.
