The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) released a legal study entitled "Legal Regulations of Media Freedom in Palestine", prepared by legal advisor Rashad Tawam under the supervision of lawyer Ahmed Nasra. This study was funded by the UNESCO office in Ramallah.
The study sheds light on the legal environment relating to and affecting media freedoms in the Palestinian territories, its impact on restricting media work, and if or how these regulations meet international standards.
The study concluded that current legal regulations do not in themselves constitute a violation of media freedom, but that the provisions of these laws, their interpretation and application in undefined or restrictive contexts such as security, public regulation, customs and traditions are problematic, insufficiently defined and leave journalists open to violations.
The study issued final recommendation for the preparation of a new Basic Media Law that voids all existing and draft legislations to ensure that the new law primarily protects media professionals instead of focusing on restricting them, and organize various sectors of printed, visual and audio media. The study also recommends the establishment of an independent Supreme Council for Media.
