Immediate Action Required to Stop Violations of Basic Freedoms by Government Press Office
ADALAH NEWS UPDATE, 3 April 2002
Adalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel
From: "Adalah" <adalahorg@hotmail.com>
ADALAH NEWS UPDATE
3 April 2002
Immediate Action Required to Stop Violations of Basic Freedoms by Government Press Office
On 2 April 2002, Mr. Daniel Siman, head of the Government Press Office,
revoked the press credentials of two journalists working for Abu Dhabi
Television, Layla Odeh and Jasim al-Azawi. Mr. al-Azawi is an Arab-American
who had received his press card only the previous day; Ms. Odeh is Palestinian.
Mr. Siman charged that Abu Dhabi Television is broadcasting false information
and is inciting against Israel, a charge that is denied by the two journalists.
On behalf of Mr. al-Azawi, Ms. Odeh, and I'lam Media
Center for Palestinian Society in Israel, Adalah Staff Attorney Suhad Bishara
sent a pre-petition to the Attorney General's office. In the pre-petition,
Adalah claimed that Mr. Siman's decision violates the two journalists'
freedom of speech, which is tightly connected to freedoms of the press
and information.
Adalah stressed that freedom of speech is essential
in a democratic society. Citizens must be able to obtain information from
a variety of sources in order to facilitate full and informed participation
in the democratic process. Their ability to obtain information is tied
directly to journalists' freedom of speech and ability to freely gather
information, freedoms which must be upheld by the legal system.
In addition, Adalah noted that Mr. Siman did not
initiate a hearing process before making his decision. A hearing should
take place before a decision is made to violate the basic rights of journalists,
giving them the opportunity to defend their positions. Adalah further argued
that Mr. Siman's decision lacked any substantive basis.
Mr. Siman's decision to revoke the press credentials
of the two journalists severely violates freedoms of the press, speech
and information, as well as freedom of occupation. It intends to muzzle
media organizations operating inside Israel, or to pressure them into expressing
views consistent with the official Israeli perspective. Further, the decision
discriminates against the two journalists for their nationalities and their
views. Adalah demanded that the Attorney General intervene immediately
to stop these serious violations of fundamental freedoms.
Adalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel
Tel: +972 4 950 1610
Fax: +972 4 950 3140
E-mail: adalahorg@hotmail.com
http://www.adalah.org/
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