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Thursday, April 07, 2011

Breaking The Silence: Rights Group Cites PA Attacks On Reporters

The Palestinian Authority is “becoming notorious for assaulting and intimidating journalists” and causing some self-censorship by local reporters, according to the Human Rights Watch organization.

The report may partially explain media bias against Israel.

Human Rights Watch, which traditionally has focused on allegation of rights abuses in Israel, stated that Palestinian Authority intimidation has caused many reporters not to write all of what they know.

Hamas has frequently been cited for violence against reporters, most notably the kidnapping of BBC journalist Alan Johnston four years ago. He was released after more than three months in captivity.

The report on abuses in the Palestinian Authority, heavily backed financially and diplomatically by the United States and European Union, includes seven cases. Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, urged Western countries to condition aid to the PA on the halt to interference with press freedom.

Hamas also was cited for two cases of abuse, but an official of the terrorist organization said the incidents were “mistakes,” according to the Associated Press.

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