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MEDIA DURING WAR CRISIS - GAZA - GENDER

"People need information as much as water, food, medicine or shelter. Information can save lives, livelihoods and resources."

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− Red Cross World Disasters Report

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,476444,00.html

Frustrated Reporters Blocked From Gaza War Zone

January 05, 2009

EREZ CROSSING, Israel —  Israel scrapped arrangements Monday to allow the first foreign reporters into the Gaza Strip since the military launched its offensive against Palestinian militants, adding to mounting media frustration at being locked out of the war zone.

The ban on foreign media, which has been appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court, drew criticism from journalists that Israel is trying to manage the story.

Israel asserts that opening border crossings for journalists would endanger staff at the terminals, which have often been targeted by militants.

The Associated Press and some other news organizations have Palestinian reporters, photographers and cameramen based in Gaza. Many media have no reliable source of independent information.

"The barring of outside news organizations from Gaza hampers the flow of unbiased information of vital interest to the entire world. Authorities on all sides should work to allow access by journalists in keeping with the aims of press freedom," said John Daniszewski, the AP's managing editor for international news.

The Israeli government has long banned Israeli journalists from entering Gaza because of fears for their safety, but foreign reporters previously were permitted in, even during times of heavy fighting.

Human Rights Watch urged Israel to open Gaza to journalists and human rights monitors to report on the actions of both sides. "Their presence can discourage abuse by warring parties and help save lives," the New York-based organization said.

Some 350 reporters have descended on Israel since Dec. 27, when the military launched an intense air war aimed at halting rocket fire from Gaza. Those journalists bolstered a permanent foreign press corps of some 900 media personnel and hundreds more Israelis working for foreign companies.

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http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=35035&folder=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=285247018

Internews - People in Gaza
Get Vital Humanitarian News

Internews has launched a humanitarian information service to get lifesaving news to people living in Gaza. Because the residents have no power, Internews is also providing hand-crank, solar-powered radios to those most affected by the crisis.

INFORMATION SAVES LIVES

Internews is broadcasting special humanitarian programming into Gaza from two radio stations in the West Bank city of Hebron and sending over 500 hand crank, solar-powered radios to the people in Gaza. With additional support, Internews will be able to send enough radios to provide one to every family that needs one.

Internews staff in Ramallah and Gaza City are mobilizing the stations, whose signals reach all of Gaza, to broadcast accurate and timely information about distribution of food and blankets, safe havens, road closures and other humanitarian news. The radios that are being distributed can also be used as flashlights and cell phone chargers.

Internews is coordinating closely with the relief agency CHF International to bring the radios into Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is distributing the radios at its food distribution points around Gaza.

Internews has worked with the two stations in Hebron, Minbar Al Huriya and Dream Radio, as part of its ongoing project to support independent media in the West Bank and Gaza. The stations are part of the United Palestine News Network (UPNN), a network of local radio and TV outlets that Internews helped establish last year..

"People need information as much as water, food, medicine or shelter. Information can save lives, livelihoods and resources."

− Red Cross World Disasters Report

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