Nablus – On August 27, MIFTAH organized a workshop for media students at Al Najah University in which it presented a report prepared by the Media Monitoring Unit entitled “The coverage of the three Palestinian newspapers of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Palestine and Israel from March 21-23, 2013”. The report is part of the project: “A critical reading of print media” in its fourth stage, funded by Konrad Adenauer, Germany.
“The reports issued by the monitoring unit are a reflection of MIFTAH’s role in following up the monitoring of Palestinian media in order to reach the highest level of professionalism and to train media students on critical reading of the print media,” said MIFTAH CEO Dr. Lily Feidy. “The project targets media students in Palestinian universities around the country.”
According to the unit, the report monitored the means with which the three papers covered the visit, the various forms of coverage and contexts in addition to the space given to opposing opinions. It also monitored the extent to which the visit was linked to files in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, most importantly: settlements, prisoners, security, refugees and the positions of the parties towards them.
The unit said the report came out with a group of results, namely that the visit of President Obama was given intensive coverage by Palestinian media outlets and the three major newspapers: Al Quds, Al Ayyam and Al Hayat Al Jadida. The three newspapers also gave particular importance to the protocol aspect of the visit, displaying this on their front pages and main headlines in particular. The newspapers considered the welcoming ceremony an important Palestinian achievement and a result of the diplomatic battle the leadership waged at the UN to gain observer state status.
The presentation was followed by an extensive discussion in which the students asked a number of questions about journalistic professionalism and the extent to which the media is linked to and practices favoritism towards the governing authority, thus losing interest in social aspects in favor of covering political issues. The students pointed to the importance of monitoring and criticizing the media in order to improve their performance, also calling for accuracy and objectivity in news writing without depending only on wire agencies for news.
The students showed interest in the topic at hand. Media student Wala’ Khdeir said: “The meetings set up by the unit and their reports are very beneficial both for acquiring knowledge and at a professional level, especially since the topics they monitor are very important in the Palestinian arena. “
Farah Kilani added that media students were in need of such reports, saying they give the students an idea about working as a journalist on the ground in addition to the theoretical aspects of the profession, which they receive at university.
MIFTAH was granted a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations' ECOSOC
Date posted: September 28, 2020
By MIFTAH
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy- MIFTAH was granted a special consultative status to work with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), through which MIFTAH seeks to contribute to promoting the Palestinian narrative and international advocacy based on international legitimacy and United Nations resolutions related to the Palestinian cause.
The ECOSOC is the principal organ that coordinates the economic, social, environmental and related work of the 14 United Nations specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. It serves as the central forum for discussing international economic, and social and environmental issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system.
ECOSOC provides NGOs the opportunity to be heard by a truly global audience and contribute to its agenda. ECOSOC has been the main entry point into the UN system for NGOs. ECOSOC remains the only main UN body with a formal framework for NGO participation
What is Consultative Status?
Consultative Status is an accreditation framework that benefits both the United Nations and the NGOs. Consultative arrangements are to be made, on the one hand, for the purpose of enabling the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations having special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views according to ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part II, paragraph 20.
NGOs with Consultative Status can work with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in various ways, including in consultation with Member States. They can also contribute to a number of activities including information dissemination, awareness raising, development education, policy advocacy, joint operational projects, participation in intergovernmental processes and in the contribution of services and technical expertise
An NGO with consultative status can attend international conferences and events, make written and oral statements at these events, organize side events, enter United Nations premises, and have opportunities to network and lobby.
MIFTAH considers obtaining this Consultative Status timely and paramount to begin organizing its participation through the Council's sessions during 2021.
Signing ceremony for new cooperation agreement between MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office
Date posted: November 28, 2019
By MIFTAH
Ramallah – MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office to the PA signed on Monday, November 26 a new one-year cooperation agreement in a ceremony held in Ramallah.
Head of the Board of Directors, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, signed on behalf of MIFTAH while Norwegian representative, Ms. Hilde Haralstad signed on behalf of the Norwegian Representative Office.
During her speech at the signing, Dr. Ashrawi said, "For the past 18 years the Norwegian Representative Office has been one of the oldest and most significant of MIFTAH's supporters in its efforts towards promoting the principles of democracy and good governance in Palestine”. She also said this support was a continuation of the crucial work at this stage in supporting and empowering young leaders and women as change-makers, saying it gives this sector the ability to influence and change, especially in light of the difficult circumstances and challenges of the current political stage. Ashrawi also reiterated the importance of collective efforts in a coordinated and holistic manner between the various parties, which inevitably lead to change.
Dr. Ashrawi reaffirmed the Norwegian support for the Palestinian cause, expressing hope that Norway and other likeminded countries continue to stand on the right side of human rights and good governance and recognize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom, justice and statehood. She concluded her speech by expressing sadness for Ms. Haralstad's departure from Palestine, where she has served since 2016.
Meanwhile, Ms. Haralstad confirmed Norway's continued support for Palestine in its quest for statehood and human rights. She said she was proud to have partnered with an institution that supports the principles of democracy and good governance and which works for women's and youth issues such as MIFTAH. She also stressed on the important role Palestinian civil society institutions play in supporting the Women's Peace and Security agenda and expressed her sadness for leaving Palestine, saying she would continue to support the Palestinian cause.
The signing was attended by women's and rights institutions in addition to MIFTAH board members, representatives from the General Union of Palestinian Women and representatives from other MIFTAH funders and partners.
