Palestinians: No 'Freedom Of The Press' In Gaza
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Dozens of Palestinian journalists protested outside the offices of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza City Tuesday against a growing campaign of intimidation and censorship by terror groups and the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority. One journalist was quoted by The Jerusalem Post as saying, "We condemn all methods of terror and threats practiced by some irresponsible parties in Palestinian society against Palestinian newsmen." A number of Palestinian reporters and editors have been beaten and killed over the past few years. The authorities have never managed to capture their assailants. Tuesday's demonstrators demanded the PA begin taking immediate legal action against anyone who attempts to restrict their work through intimidation and violence. They also urged the government, which is now controlled by the Hamas terrorist organization, to stop discriminating against journalists affiliated with rival armed groups. In particular they were unhappy about PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's failure to invite any but Hamas-affiliated journalists to press briefing earlier this week. The Fatah-dominated Palestinian Journalists Syndicate accused Haniyeh of purposely ignoring "journalists working in important media outlets such as Palestine TV and the Wafa News Agency."
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