PA coverage restriction ires journalists - (JP) - Jul. 31, 2005 2:45
In a move condemned by Palestinian journalists as a threat to the free media, the Palestinian Authority on Saturday issued a ban on the publication of any news related to its security forces.
The PA Interior Ministry, which is in charge of the security forces, said
the ban applied to local, Arab and international news organizations working in Palestinian territories.
The ban follows complaints by some Palestinians that the PA security forces are partly responsible for the growing state of lawlessness and anarchy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
"Every day we hear about a new measure restricting the work of journalists. The Palestinian Authority wants to turn us into its official spokesmen."
"There is a feeling here that
there is no difference between Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen [Abbas]," he said. "Abu Mazen is imposing severe restriction on the media just like Arafat."
Last week the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, which is controlled by Abbas loyalists, issued a warning to all journalists
to refrain from reporting on clashes between Hamas gunmen and PA security forces in Gaza City. It warned that any journalist who violated the ban would be punished for harming the Palestinians' national interests.