Palestine – Breaking News

By Iqbal Jassat – Chairman, Media Review Network

A new storm over media freedoms is brewing in South Africa. It seems that until the 2010 soccer World Cup was underway, all eyes were fixed on the spectacle and the excitement it generated amongst the population. Now that it is over and acknowledged as a resounding success, much to the dismay of numerous doomsayers who included the likes of Hussein Solomon, the public debate has shifted to familiar territory.

This involves the ANC-led government and the 4th Estate. To the uninitiated it may not be clear what the debate entails. Media reports and radio talk shows are filled with angry voices belonging to journalists warning about an impending threat to media freedoms arising from politicians keen to impose censorship ala apartheid style.

Countering this view are voices such as those of Blade Nzimande of the Communist Party who has juxtapositioned startling media probes into corruption called “tenderpreneurs” with “mediapreneurship”. Nzimande, who also enjoys a senior cabinet position in government, explained that this trend involves journalists who are literally in the pockets of moneyed and powerful interests, accepting cash to write stories in favour of financial patrons and besmirching the opponents of their benefactors.

Read More »Politicians pitted against journalists in new battle over media freedom

By Bibi Ayesha Laher – Media Liaison, Media Review Network

At Saturday night’s Al Quds Banquet, the Media Review Network (MRN) was honoured by being granted the “shuhada” award in recognition of efforts to lift the siege on Gaza!

The award was presented at Al Quds Foundation’s annual fundraising dinner held in Lenasia.

Key note speaker Sheik Igsaan Hendriks, who also heads the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), lauded the MRN for its sterling media advocacy in defence of human rights. He also said that the partnership forged between MJC’s media desk and MRN is a significant strategic alliance highly valued by them.

Before calling on MRN’s Iqbal Jassat to receive the award, he was asked to address the capacity audience.

In his brief talk, Jassat stressed the need for broader civil society participation in solidarity activities for oppressed people. With reference to Palestine, he pointed out that Apartheid Israel’s ideological root embedded in racist Zionism was floundering.

“’Hasbara’ or propaganda relied upon by Israel to bluff the world is experiencing major structural cracks. This is due to the fact that myths invented by Zionists are not sustainable in the face of Palestinian resistance and global solidarity”, said Jassat.

MJC’s secretary –general, Molana Abdul Khaliq Ally who presided at the function expressed gratitude for the support by residents of Lenasia, Ennerdale, Eldorado Park and surrounding areas.

Read More »Media review network honoured

(source: Kashmir Media Service)

Srinagar, January 21 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, Hurriyet leaders, while welcoming the two-day visit of the UN Special Rapporteur, Margaret Sekaggya to Kashmir, have urged a fair report by her on the human rights situation in the territory.

The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement issued in Srinagar expressed the hope that the UN would urge India to stop human rights abuses in the occupied territory.

“We have been demanding a special rapporteur on Kashmir but still, this limited move is also a step in right direction. I hope the UN would ensure that the reportage on Kashmir remains fair and helps in improving the situation,” he added.

Welcoming the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur to Kashmir, where she held many sessions with human rights defenders and victims, veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani said that after a long time the UN had realised to send somebody to enquire about Kashmiris and the situation they live in.

He said, “Though her mandate has been limited but it is to be seen what she writes in her report. That whether she has been able to understand and feel the pain and sufferings of Kashmiris, will be known when her report is out.”

It is to be seen whether she can reproduce, in a fair and impartial manner, whatever she encountered and observed here, he maintained.

Read More »Hurriyet leaders urge fair report on ihk by un rapporteur