IFJ joins Palestinian journalists in discussing the role of media in covering conflicts

November 27, 2015

A delegation of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined yesterday in Ramallah city the national conference organised by the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) on the 'Role of Media in Covering Conflicts'. Over 130 journalists, editors, civil society organisations and Palestinian officials participated in the debates which tackled the safety crisis that journalists face in Palestine and ways to provide them with protection.

According to the PJS reports, more than 70 Palestinian and international journalists were injured or assaulted by the Israeli army since the beginning of October this year, some of whom were present in the meeting and shared their experiences with the audience.

"We are in debt to the IFJ and the leaders of journalists' unions who are with us today," said Abdulnasser Najjar, President of the PJS and IFJ Executive Committee member. "The Palestinian journalists are facing very difficult times and we need the solidarity and support of all our sisters and brothers from the journalists’ unions around the world in our struggle to work and live as free journalists."

The IFJ leadership backed the Palestinian journalists and asked for their safety and rights to be fully respected.

"It is a moral obligation to the IFJ to be present here today and back our Palestinian colleagues, especially after the outrageous attacks suffered by the Palestinian journalism community last year, when 9 reporters were killed," said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. He also condemned the wounds and bruises sustained by the PJS President back in May following an attack of the Israeli troops to a rally marking World Press Freedom Day. "The IFJ will endeavour to strengthen the safety of Palestinian journalists and to guarantee their basic rights so they can keep reporting independently on the ground and be at the service of the civil society and their right to be informed."

The debate also included discussions with senior journalists about the editorial policies at major Palestinian media organisations and their commitments to provide truthful information and quality journalism to the Palestinian people. The discussion further focused on the importance of supporting critical journalism in times of conflict.

"It is heartening to be part of this professional and important debate launched by our Palestinian colleagues," said Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary. "The IFJ will continue to endeavour to support the PJS in defending the social and professional rights of Palestinian journalists including their right to work without fearing for their lives."

The IFJ international delegation, led by the IFJ President Jim Boumelha and the IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger, also met the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and urged him to support the PJS and Palestinian journalists in these difficult times. It also asked him to lend his support to the professional debate led by the IFJ across the Arab region involving journalists' unions, national human rights commission and civil society organizations on strengthening regional support for press freedom including a Declaration on Media Freedom on the Arab World. President Abbas pledged that when the debate is concluded he will be "the first to sign the Declaration."

The IFJ delegation also included Michelle Stainstreet, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists in the UK and Ireland; Dominique Pradalié, General Secretary of Syndicat National des Journalistes (SNJ) in France; Tuwani Gumani, General Secretary of Media Workers Association of South Africa; Saimo Chahal, human rights lawyer from the UK and Monir Zaarour, IFJ Coordinator in the Arab World and the Middle East.

Besides, on the occasion of the 25th November, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a group of leading female journalists and civil society organisations debated the issue facing the violence against Palestinian women including in the media sector. It showed the struggle of Palestinian women to face social tradition, stereotyping, professional challenges and physical and psychological violence as women living under the occupation.

"We are determined to continue our fight for equal professional rights of women journalists in Palestine," said Kholoud Assaf, editor of WAFA news agency and Head of the PJS Gender Equality Committee. "The fact that more women journalists are joining the profession must be reflected by having more women leading Palestinian media organizations."


For more information contact:
International Federation of Journalists
Phone: + 32 2 235 22 16
Website: www.ifj.org