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The following is from IFEX Communique # 3-40

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PALESTINE: IFJ CONFERENCE ON MEDIA AND CHANGE PROMOTES DEMOCRACY

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), together with
the Arab Journalists Association and the General Union of
Palestine Writers and Journalists have put out a report on their
conference, "Media and the Challenge of Change in Palestine". The
central theme of the conference, which was held in Jerusalem from
3-5 June, was to fortify a Media for Democracy Programme in
Palestine. Over 100 Palestinian journalists and foreign
participants got together to discuss the challenge facing the new
government in Palestine towards democracy and media freedom.
Keynote speaker Dr Saeb Erakat, a representative of the
Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), spoke on "Freedom of
Expression and Opinion and the Peace Process." He said that the
PLO is committed to "the principles of press freedom and freedom
of expression and welcomed the opportunity for a direct
discussion with media and journalists."

In their formal conclusions, the conference delegates condemned
"violence against journalists, harassment of Palestinian media,
continued censorship, restrictions on freedom of movement and
other obstacles put in place by the Israeli authorities, all of
which are damaging to the peace process and press freedom." A
proposal for "International Standards of Freedom of Expression
and the Law in Palestine" was also endorsed. Contact IFJ for
copies at e-mail: ifjsafenet@gn.apc.org; tel: +32 2 238 09 51;
fax: +32 2 230 36 33.


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The IFEX Communique is published weekly by the IFEX Clearing
House, Toronto. The facility is operated by the Canadian
Committee to Protect Journalists in partnership with the member
organizations of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange
(IFEX). Material may be submitted to the Communique at E-mail:
ifex@web.apc.org; Fax: (1-416) 867-1034; or Tel: (1-416)
867-1638. Editors this week: Kristina Stockwood and Nick
Fillmore. Subscriptions are available by e-mail and surface mail.