Gaza Journo: Hamas Censorship Hampers Objectivity

A delegation of Palestinian jourmnalists from the West Bank and Gaza met with their Israeli counterparts in Tel Aviv. The Jerusalem Post was there as they discussed various issues, including Hamas' media restrictions.

Lana Shaheen, a Palestinian TV broadcaster shared this insight:

In addition, Shaheen says she has to contend with significant censorship from Hamas on what journalists can report from the Gaza Strip. Such limits make it very difficult to present a completely objective picture of the situation on the ground.

Shaheen said “to some extent” Hamas controls what they can report. She used the example of a friend who works for the BBC who produced a report on the rather widespread making of homemade wine in Gaza, “and the next day we receive a statement from a Hamas spokesman saying they are supporting the enemy and this is immoral.”

I don't recall ever seeing a BBC dispatch on Gaza wine makers, but Elder of Ziyon found this AFP story.

Shaheen's bravery is worth noting. In 2007, she received a threatening message from one of the Strip's numerous Islamic groups: cover up or face death.

How many Palestinian stringers -- who the Western news services rely on to cover Gaza --are equally candid in the face of Hamas pressure?

Posted at 08:57 AM