No freedom of expression in Gaza

[Lipush]

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas closed the offices of three media companies, including the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television and Palestinian news agency Maan, on Thursday, employees and a Hamas spokesman said.

Hamas Attorney General Ismail Jaber told The Associated Press Thursday that he closed the Gaza Strip bureaus of satellite channel Al Arabiya and West Bank-based outlet Maan because they "spread fabricated rumors" that "harm the Palestinian national interest and resistance movements."

Al Arabiya and Maan employees said Hamas security men had arrived at their offices with an order from the attorney general to shut down immediately and a Hamas spokesman said the step was temporary, until an investigation was concluded.

"The attorney general received complaints, including from the Ministry of Information, that Al Arabiya and Maan reported false news, fabrications and lies," said Hamas government spokesman Ehab al-Ghsain.

Ghsain did not single out any news reports, but Hamas officials have in the past few days criticised coverage by Al Arabiya and Maan of the Islamist group's tense relations with Egypt's new rulers as "damaging" to the Palestinian people.

Hamas closes 2 media offices in Gaza for criticism - Israel News, Ynetnews

----------

 

[Sweet_Caroline]

There never has been freedom of expression. The citizens have to 'tow the party line' or be arrested. The citizens are at the mercy of the Hamas.

 

[Lipush]

Forgot the "freedom fighters" part, lol

 

[Bloodrock44]

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas closed the offices of three media companies, including the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television and Palestinian news agency Maan, on Thursday, employees and a Hamas spokesman said.

Hamas Attorney General Ismail Jaber told The Associated Press Thursday that he closed the Gaza Strip bureaus of satellite channel Al Arabiya and West Bank-based outlet Maan because they "spread fabricated rumors" that "harm the Palestinian national interest and resistance movements."

Al Arabiya and Maan employees said Hamas security men had arrived at their offices with an order from the attorney general to shut down immediately and a Hamas spokesman said the step was temporary, until an investigation was concluded.

"The attorney general received complaints, including from the Ministry of Information, that Al Arabiya and Maan reported false news, fabrications and lies," said Hamas government spokesman Ehab al-Ghsain.

Ghsain did not single out any news reports, but Hamas officials have in the past few days criticised coverage by Al Arabiya and Maan of the Islamist group's tense relations with Egypt's new rulers as "damaging" to the Palestinian people.

Hamas closes 2 media offices in Gaza for criticism - Israel News, Ynetnews

----------

What? No freedom of the press? How about freedom of religion? How about freedom of association? Can you say honor killing?

 

[MJB12741]

What Hamas has done & is still doing to the Palestinians is hard to forgive. But then, how sorry can we feel for the Palestinian people who elected Hamas to govern them?

 

[Coyote]

I was listening to an interesting bit of news on the radio - they were talking about the Press Freesom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders - on media freedom in various countries. Press Freedom Index 2013 - Reporters Without Borders

The results are really surprising...

Out of 179 - Israel ranks 112th and Palestine ranks 146th - not so surprising for Palestine at this time, but very surprising that Israel also ranks so low.

For comparison - in the ME: Qatar ranks 110, Kuwait is 77 - at the bottom Pakistan 159, Saudi 163, Iran 174 and Syria 176 (no surprise with those).

I found it intriguing that Kuwait ranks so much better than Israel in freedom of expression and while Palestine is worse, Israel is not so hot, being in the bottom 50%.

 

[RoccoR]

MJB12741, et al,

Controlling the media in the embryonic stages of a totalitarian state is critical.

What Hamas has done & is still doing to the Palestinians is hard to forgive. But then, how sorry can we feel for the Palestinian people who elected Hamas to govern them?

(COMMENT)

This is in keeping with their program that essentially states that it is necessary that information and media people, should take part in the operation of awakening the masses. If the media outlets were casting shadow on Hamas, Hamas must then neutralize them. It is what the Palestinian People wanted in their government and voted for as a people.

Most Respectfully,
R

 

[alpine]

I was listening to an interesting bit of news on the radio - they were talking about the Press Freesom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders - on media freedom in various countries. Press Freedom Index 2013 - Reporters Without Borders

The results are really surprising...

Out of 179 - Israel ranks 112th and Palestine ranks 146th - not so surprising for Palestine at this time, but very surprising that Israel also ranks so low.

For comparison - in the ME: Qatar ranks 110, Kuwait is 77 - at the bottom Pakistan 159, Saudi 163, Iran 174 and Syria 176 (no surprise with those).

I found it intriguing that Kuwait ranks so much better than Israel in freedom of expression and while Palestine is worse, Israel is not so hot, being in the bottom 50%.

.

Journalists in Israel (112th, -20) enjoy real freedom of expression despite the existence of military censorship but the country fell in the index because of the Israeli military’s targeting of journalists in the Palestinian Territories.

 

[Coyote]

MJB12741, et al,

Controlling the media in the embryonic stages of a totalitarian state is critical.

What Hamas has done & is still doing to the Palestinians is hard to forgive. But then, how sorry can we feel for the Palestinian people who elected Hamas to govern them?

(COMMENT)

This is in keeping with their program that essentially states that it is necessary that information and media people, should take part in the operation of awakening the masses. If the media outlets were casting shadow on Hamas, Hamas must then neutralize them. It is what the Palestinian People wanted in their government and voted for as a people.

Most Respectfully,
R

Not necessarily.

From what I read, Hamas was voted into power because they were seen as less corrupt than the entrenched status quo - on the basis of domestic issues not international issues and not because of some perceived desire for totalitarian rule.

 

[Bloodrock44]

MJB12741, et al,

Controlling the media in the embryonic stages of a totalitarian state is critical.

What Hamas has done & is still doing to the Palestinians is hard to forgive. But then, how sorry can we feel for the Palestinian people who elected Hamas to govern them?

(COMMENT)

This is in keeping with their program that essentially states that it is necessary that information and media people, should take part in the operation of awakening the masses. If the media outlets were casting shadow on Hamas, Hamas must then neutralize them. It is what the Palestinian People wanted in their government and voted for as a people.

Most Respectfully,
R

I see...something akin to North Korea, Russia and China.

 

[RoccoR]

Coyote, et al,

This presupposes that the people of the Gaza Strip did not understand the tenants that are behind the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS).

MJB12741, et al,

Controlling the media in the embryonic stages of a totalitarian state is critical.

What Hamas has done & is still doing to the Palestinians is hard to forgive. But then, how sorry can we feel for the Palestinian people who elected Hamas to govern them?

(COMMENT)

This is in keeping with their program that essentially states that it is necessary that information and media people, should take part in the operation of awakening the masses. If the media outlets were casting shadow on Hamas, Hamas must then neutralize them. It is what the Palestinian People wanted in their government and voted for as a people.

Most Respectfully,
R

Not necessarily.

From what I read, Hamas was voted into power because they were seen as less corrupt than the entrenched status quo - on the basis of domestic issues not international issues and not because of some perceived desire for totalitarian rule.

(COMMENT)

I believe that the Gazians completely understood that in voting for HAMAS, they were voting for a continuation of the Jihadist movement, and ultimately the establishment of Sharia and the Islamic State. It has been six years this month that Hamas has ruled in the Gaza Strip. There is no sign from the People that they want to change the government. It is unreasonable to assume that the People of Government do not understand the movement and the objective of HAMAS. The Gaza Strip is destine to be an Islamic Waqf.

Most Respectfully,
R

 

[RoccoR]

Bloodrock44, et al,

Much the way Tehran controls the state in Iran.

MJB12741, et al,

Controlling the media in the embryonic stages of a totalitarian state is critical.

What Hamas has done & is still doing to the Palestinians is hard to forgive. But then, how sorry can we feel for the Palestinian people who elected Hamas to govern them?

(COMMENT)

This is in keeping with their program that essentially states that it is necessary that information and media people, should take part in the operation of awakening the masses. If the media outlets were casting shadow on Hamas, Hamas must then neutralize them. It is what the Palestinian People wanted in their government and voted for as a people.

Most Respectfully,
R

I see...something akin to North Korea, Russia and China.

(COMMENT)

A similar technique; but more like an Islamic Waqf, similar to a Sunni like - Tehran. An Islamic State.

Most Respectfully,
R

 

[pbel]

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas closed the offices of three media companies, including the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television and Palestinian news agency Maan, on Thursday, employees and a Hamas spokesman said.

Hamas Attorney General Ismail Jaber told The Associated Press Thursday that he closed the Gaza Strip bureaus of satellite channel Al Arabiya and West Bank-based outlet Maan because they "spread fabricated rumors" that "harm the Palestinian national interest and resistance movements."

Al Arabiya and Maan employees said Hamas security men had arrived at their offices with an order from the attorney general to shut down immediately and a Hamas spokesman said the step was temporary, until an investigation was concluded.

"The attorney general received complaints, including from the Ministry of Information, that Al Arabiya and Maan reported false news, fabrications and lies," said Hamas government spokesman Ehab al-Ghsain.

Ghsain did not single out any news reports, but Hamas officials have in the past few days criticised coverage by Al Arabiya and Maan of the Islamist group's tense relations with Egypt's new rulers as "damaging" to the Palestinian people.

Hamas closes 2 media offices in Gaza for criticism - Israel News, Ynetnews

----------

I've got news for you. There is no freedom of expression anywhere in Asia save Israel who'se mind-set was formed in Europe when it was established. Israel is a Western Outpost surrounded in an undeveoped region called the third world.

Western Values here are seen as obscene. Get used to it. The only hope to change these values is to support Democracies which foster self expression.

 

[Lipush]

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas closed the offices of three media companies, including the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television and Palestinian news agency Maan, on Thursday, employees and a Hamas spokesman said.

Hamas Attorney General Ismail Jaber told The Associated Press Thursday that he closed the Gaza Strip bureaus of satellite channel Al Arabiya and West Bank-based outlet Maan because they "spread fabricated rumors" that "harm the Palestinian national interest and resistance movements."

Al Arabiya and Maan employees said Hamas security men had arrived at their offices with an order from the attorney general to shut down immediately and a Hamas spokesman said the step was temporary, until an investigation was concluded.

"The attorney general received complaints, including from the Ministry of Information, that Al Arabiya and Maan reported false news, fabrications and lies," said Hamas government spokesman Ehab al-Ghsain.

Ghsain did not single out any news reports, but Hamas officials have in the past few days criticised coverage by Al Arabiya and Maan of the Islamist group's tense relations with Egypt's new rulers as "damaging" to the Palestinian people.

Hamas closes 2 media offices in Gaza for criticism - Israel News, Ynetnews

----------

What? No freedom of the press? How about freedom of religion? How about freedom of association? Can you say honor killing?

Oh, don't get me started on that one.

 

[Lipush]

I was listening to an interesting bit of news on the radio - they were talking about the Press Freesom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders - on media freedom in various countries. Press Freedom Index 2013 - Reporters Without Borders

The results are really surprising...

Out of 179 - Israel ranks 112th and Palestine ranks 146th - not so surprising for Palestine at this time, but very surprising that Israel also ranks so low.

For comparison - in the ME: Qatar ranks 110, Kuwait is 77 - at the bottom Pakistan 159, Saudi 163, Iran 174 and Syria 176 (no surprise with those).

I found it intriguing that Kuwait ranks so much better than Israel in freedom of expression and while Palestine is worse, Israel is not so hot, being in the bottom 50%.

Which begs the question, of how exactly the tanking goes.

Israel doesn't let journalists enter many places, out of censorship etc. That is true.

But concerning inside freedom of expression, Israel is ridiculously allowing that WAY over the top.

Depends on what you mean, I guess. do you mean "freedom of press" when journalists from other countries come and criticize or when Inside press (like leftist journalism) can criticize a (rightist) government?

Two ways of freedom of expression, depends on how you look at it.

 

[P F Tinmore]

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas closed the offices of three media companies, including the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television and Palestinian news agency Maan, on Thursday, employees and a Hamas spokesman said.

Hamas Attorney General Ismail Jaber told The Associated Press Thursday that he closed the Gaza Strip bureaus of satellite channel Al Arabiya and West Bank-based outlet Maan because they "spread fabricated rumors" that "harm the Palestinian national interest and resistance movements."

Al Arabiya and Maan employees said Hamas security men had arrived at their offices with an order from the attorney general to shut down immediately and a Hamas spokesman said the step was temporary, until an investigation was concluded.

"The attorney general received complaints, including from the Ministry of Information, that Al Arabiya and Maan reported false news, fabrications and lies," said Hamas government spokesman Ehab al-Ghsain.

Ghsain did not single out any news reports, but Hamas officials have in the past few days criticised coverage by Al Arabiya and Maan of the Islamist group's tense relations with Egypt's new rulers as "damaging" to the Palestinian people.

Hamas closes 2 media offices in Gaza for criticism - Israel News, Ynetnews

----------

I've got news for you. There is no freedom of expression anywhere in Asia save Israel who'se mind-set was formed in Europe when it was established. Israel is a Western Outpost surrounded in an undeveoped region called the third world.

Western Values here are seen as obscene. Get used to it. The only hope to change these values is to support Democracies which foster self expression.

There is no freedom of expression anywhere in Asia...

Or in the west.

 

[Lipush]

MJB12741, et al,

Controlling the media in the embryonic stages of a totalitarian state is critical.

What Hamas has done & is still doing to the Palestinians is hard to forgive. But then, how sorry can we feel for the Palestinian people who elected Hamas to govern them?

(COMMENT)

This is in keeping with their program that essentially states that it is necessary that information and media people, should take part in the operation of awakening the masses. If the media outlets were casting shadow on Hamas, Hamas must then neutralize them. It is what the Palestinian People wanted in their government and voted for as a people.

Most Respectfully,
R

Not necessarily.

From what I read, Hamas was voted into power because they were seen as less corrupt than the entrenched status quo - on the basis of domestic issues not international issues and not because of some perceived desire for totalitarian rule.

That's true.

But look at what they have accomplished in the last days.

Egypt is suffering from Jihadists from Gaza terrorizing it, many of them Morsi supporters. The Egyptian military is not pleased that Hamas doesn't force the Salafis to get out of Egypt and not get involved in their business.

So what do they do? They destroy tunnels. They cut out fuel. they close their gates.

All that thanks to Hamas.

It is only a matter of times before the Palestinians realize, if they are smart enough for it, that Hamas is worse for them than any Fatah regime, EVER.

 

[sealadaigh]

Coyote, et al,

This presupposes that the people of the Gaza Strip did not understand the tenants that are behind the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS).

MJB12741, et al,

Controlling the media in the embryonic stages of a totalitarian state is critical.


(COMMENT)

This is in keeping with their program that essentially states that it is necessary that information and media people, should take part in the operation of awakening the masses. If the media outlets were casting shadow on Hamas, Hamas must then neutralize them. It is what the Palestinian People wanted in their government and voted for as a people.

Most Respectfully,
R

Not necessarily.

From what I read, Hamas was voted into power because they were seen as less corrupt than the entrenched status quo - on the basis of domestic issues not international issues and not because of some perceived desire for totalitarian rule.

(COMMENT)

I believe that the Gazians completely understood that in voting for HAMAS, they were voting for a continuation of the Jihadist movement, and ultimately the establishment of Sharia and the Islamic State. It has been six years this month that Hamas has ruled in the Gaza Strip. There is no sign from the People that they want to change the government. It is unreasonable to assume that the People of Government do not understand the movement and the objective of HAMAS. The Gaza Strip is destine to be an Islamic Waqf.

Most Respectfully,
R

i think you are ignoring the very real optimism expressed by the palestinian people when abbas emerged as a leader after arafat's death and how israel managed to compromise him and marginalise his program.

palestinians, and particularly gazans, did not so much vote for HAMAS as they voted against abbas and the PLO.

 

[sealadaigh]

MJB12741, et al,

Controlling the media in the embryonic stages of a totalitarian state is critical.


(COMMENT)

This is in keeping with their program that essentially states that it is necessary that information and media people, should take part in the operation of awakening the masses. If the media outlets were casting shadow on Hamas, Hamas must then neutralize them. It is what the Palestinian People wanted in their government and voted for as a people.

Most Respectfully,
R

Not necessarily.

From what I read, Hamas was voted into power because they were seen as less corrupt than the entrenched status quo - on the basis of domestic issues not international issues and not because of some perceived desire for totalitarian rule.

That's true.

But look at what they have accomplished in the last days.

Egypt is suffering from Jihadists from Gaza terrorizing it, many of them Morsi supporters. The Egyptian military is not pleased that Hamas doesn't force the Salafis to get out of Egypt and not get involved in their business.

So what do they do? They destroy tunnels. They cut out fuel. they close their gates.

All that thanks to Hamas.

It is only a matter of times before the Palestinians realize, if they are smart enough for it, that Hamas is worse for them than any Fatah regime, EVER.

i have seen no indication that palestinians are any more or less smart than other peoples.

i don't like HAMAS either particularly because of the religious aspects, but they offer hope to the palestinians and palestinians are grasping at that hope.

 

[P F Tinmore]

Coyote, et al,

This presupposes that the people of the Gaza Strip did not understand the tenants that are behind the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS).

Not necessarily.

From what I read, Hamas was voted into power because they were seen as less corrupt than the entrenched status quo - on the basis of domestic issues not international issues and not because of some perceived desire for totalitarian rule.

(COMMENT)

I believe that the Gazians completely understood that in voting for HAMAS, they were voting for a continuation of the Jihadist movement, and ultimately the establishment of Sharia and the Islamic State. It has been six years this month that Hamas has ruled in the Gaza Strip. There is no sign from the People that they want to change the government. It is unreasonable to assume that the People of Government do not understand the movement and the objective of HAMAS. The Gaza Strip is destine to be an Islamic Waqf.

Most Respectfully,
R

i think you are ignoring the very real optimism expressed by the palestinian people when abbas emerged as a leader after arafat's death and how israel managed to compromise him and marginalise his program.

palestinians, and particularly gazans, did not so much vote for HAMAS as they voted against abbas and the PLO.

Should the Palestinians vote for people who will defend their rights?

Or,

For people who will sell them down the river?

Hmmm, tough choice.