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Jerusalem:
18 February, 1998
PA Police Order
Private Television Stations Closed
Suppression of the media illegal; follows other repressive
measures aimed at silencing pro-Iraqi voices
Yesterday the Police Commanders of all police districts in
the West Bank ordered the owners of private television
stations to attend meetings. All or nearly all of the owners
attended those meetings. All of the owners were told that in
addition to the licenses they have issued by the Ministry of
Information, they must also obtain a new one from the
Ministry of the Interior. Seven stations were ordered to
cease operations until they obtain a permit. Four others
were given 48 hours to obtain a permit. There are 18 private
TV stations in the West Bank. Radio Nagham in Qalqilya was
also ordered closed.
These
orders represent a violation of the Palestinian Press Law,
and contradict basic principles of law and justice.
None of the TV stations was accused of violating a law. The
context is Israeli pressure on the PA to stop any expression
of support for Saddam Hussien and/or the people of Iraq.
al-Quds newspaper said today that the Israeli government
ordered the PA to forbid any pro-Iraq street demonstrations.
The closing of the TV stations looks like a further attempt
to silence pro-Iraqi voices. Last week, a private television
station in Bethlehem (“al-Ru’ah”) aired commentary from
Palestinians expressing support for Iraq.
Three
days ago, the PA Ministry of Information issued an order to
all media in Palestine calling on TV stations, radio
stations and newspapers to avoid any analysis of commentary
on the Iraq situation. On 10 February Ghazi Jabali, the
Chief of Police, prohibited any demonstration in protest of
the US military activity against Iraq.
The
PHRMG calls on the PA to respect freedom of the press and
the rule of law in Palestine.
This would mean on the one hand, legal measures against
anyone violating the law, and on the other, freedom for
Palestinians expressing their opinions on the Iraqi crisis.
The PHRMG calls on the PA and Israel to stop trying to
suppress these voices. The PHRMG is in sympathy with the
people of Iraq, who are suffering from years of UN
sanctions, the threat of US military strikes that may harm
civilians, and decades of mis-rule by a dictator who shows
no respect for human rights or democracy.
Contact Bassem Eid or Charles Lenchner at the
numbers listed below, as well as: 050-525935
The
Ministry of Information’s Order:
15
February 1998
To
protect the Palestinian national interest and Palestinian
security, it was decided that all private TV and radio
stations under the PA be prevented from broadcasting any
Palestinian commentary or declarations of any kind that
concern the special development of the Iraqi crisis. The
Ministry stated that these stations should cover news
without making any comments.
signed: Ministry of Information
Closed
Private Television Stations in the West Bank
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1.
Qaser al-Neil |
Nablus |
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2.
Atlass |
Nablus |
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3.
al-Bilad |
Tulkarm |
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4.
al-Bajer al-Jadid |
Tulkarm |
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5.
Tulakarm Central |
Tulkarm |
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6.
al-Awa’el |
Jenin |
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7.
Qalqilya |
Qalqilya |
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8.
Baladna |
Qalqilya |
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9.
Wattan |
Ramallah |
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10.al-Ru’ah |
Bethlehem |
In
addition, Radio Nagham in Qalqilya was also ordered closed.
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