Photo Credit: Ma'an
Head of the journalists syndicate, PLO hand Abdul-Nasser Najjar, who condemned Hamas's treatment of Arab journalists, has been behind some repressive measures against journalists in the PA, including intimidation, interrogation and jail.

Here’s how it should work, according to Abdel Nasser Najjar: “If any media outlet publishes false news, there is the judiciary and the union’s committee of ethics to question that outlet and hold it accountable. However, if media outlets are closed because their editorial policy conflicts with political parties, that is very dangerous. So far, all Hamas’ claims are unacceptable as all they claim is false news.”

In other words, in the liberal PA, all they do to a journalist who published lies about the government is haul him or her to jail and beat a confession out of them – but you don’t close down their outfit of such things.

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What constitutes “false reports” according to Chairman Nazzar? In the past, the PJS said the media should not report on, photograph or film armed demonstrations and stressed the need to “publish and cover all activities that support national unity and protect the internal front.”

Ma’an Network chairwoman Nibal Thawabta also addressed the protesters to remind them that violations against Palestinian media were ongoing. International watchdog reports, she added, prove that freedom of the press and public freedom in Palestine is on the decline.

She said that Palestinian journalists, press organizations, unions, and academic institutions in Palestine were united against restrictions on freedom of expression and the policy of “muzzling.”

“As journalists, we seek to exert every possible effort to enhance freedoms through sit-ins and other activities. We call upon all political parties to leave Palestinian media alone so they can practice their duties as the fourth branch (of government).”

And, goes without saying, do most of your work in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

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Yori Yanover has been a working journalist since age 17, before he enlisted and worked for Ba'Machane Nachal. Since then he has worked for Israel Shelanu, the US supplement of Yedioth, JCN18.com, USAJewish.com, Lubavitch News Service, Arutz 7 (as DJ on the high seas), and the Grand Street News. He has published Dancing and Crying, a colorful and intimate portrait of the last two years in the life of the late Lubavitch Rebbe, (in Hebrew), and two fun books in English: The Cabalist's Daughter: A Novel of Practical Messianic Redemption, and How Would God REALLY Vote.