Ref: 72/2008

Date: 07 August 2008

Time: 11:30 GMT

PCHR Dismayed by the Handling of Partisan Media of its Publications

PCHR extremely dismayed by the handling of its reports and materials by partisan media outlets. The Centre calls upon these outlets to be accurate in their reference to these materials without selectiveness or undermining of the original content. Such actions are liable to misrepresent PCHR’s objectivity, which the Centre is keen to preserve and uphold. In addition, the Centre calls upon these media outlets to respect the ethics of professionalism and neutrality, and to refrain from using PCHR’s publications in the context of incitement, hatred, and fanaticism that the Centre has always criticized.

The latest example of misrepresentation in the name of PCHR occurred yesterday, Wednesday (6 July), on the web site of Palestine Press News Agency that is close to Fatah movement. The Centre issued press release 71 titled, “PCHR Concerned over Preventing its Lawyers from Visiting Clients in Gaza Prisons.” The news item on the press release included numerous misrepresentations and expressions that were not mentioned in the PCHR press release.

It is noted that, recently, some partisan media outlets have tried to drag the names of PCHR and other human rights organizations in the ongoing power struggle between Fatah and Hamas to serve their partisan interests.

In light of this, PCHR:

1. Calls upon all partisan media outlets to respect the principle of professionalism in reporting on PCHR’s news and publications in an objective and neutral manner without omission, addition, or misrepresentation. The Centre calls upon them to refrain from the use of incitement, and from dragging the Center’s name in the ongoing power struggle between Fatah and Hamas.
2. Affirms that the Centre deals with full responsibility with events, facts, and results; that the Center’s role is to say truth to power and government; and that the Center is strictly aligned with the truth. The Center’s aim is to alert and inform about the necessary steps required to remedy any misuse or offense in the implementation of the law.