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On
the day Israel ended its occupation of the Gaza Strip on 12
September, 16 private radio stations in the West Bank and Gaza came
together under the banner of AMIN Internews to cover the withdrawal.
This meant that from Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip to Jenin
in the north of the West Bank and in an exceptional joint broadcast
everyone was able to witness firsthand the events of the day.
The
“united broadcast,’ as it has become to be known, had two main
studios, one based at Al
Manar radio station
in
Gaza and the other at Ajyal in Ramallah. From these sites listeners
jointed in the celebration whilst hearing reactions from
politicians, community leaders, experts and ordinary Palestinians.
Among the politicians that were interviewed, the Palestinian Prime
Minister, Mr. Ahmad Qurie, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Information Dr. Nabil Shaath, Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Samir Hulaileh,
and Head of the PLO Negotiations Department, Dr. Saeb Erekat.
In
this company, the mayors of Rafah, Khan Younis, Dair al Balah and
Jenin also had the opportunity to give their views.
The
broadcast was not just a platform for the political leaders; AMIN
Internews also brought on air several experts, analysts and
economists including Timothy Rothermel, UNDP Special Representative
in Palestine.
The
stations themselves were delighted with the broadcast.
Talal Abu Rahmeh, Manar radio station in Gaza City who co-hosted the
united broadcast said “it was one of the most successful experiences
he has had since the opening of the station itself.” Mr. Abu Rahmeh
went on to say, “We felt it brought us together as one family in
this united broadcast.”
Zaid
Shalbak, owner of the Jenin-based Al-Balad radio station, said the
“coverage of the untied broadcast was not only excellent but
comprehensive.” He went on to add: “This was an event that concerned
all Palestinians. As individual radio stations, and due to the
political problems we all face, we were not able to provide coverage
of the event that our listeners deserved. However, due to the help
of AMIN/ Internews, Al Balad and other stations succeeded beyond all
our expectations.”
In
Hebron, Ayman Qawasmi, owner of Al Hurriya radio said “the listeners
felt that they are close to what’s going on in Gaza. People followed
with interest what was happening there.” Ayman continued, “This
coverage made the listeners feel that they are in Gaza not in
Hebron.”
Ihab
Barahmeh, who owns Qamar radio station in Jericho, believes that
people welcomed this coverage. “Listeners told me this is what they
want to hear often in the station,” he said. Moreover, he added, “It
was great to feel that united efforts lead to great results and
achievements.”
Commenting on the united broadcast, Khaled Abu Aker, Executive
Director of AMIN/Internews, said “the success of this experience was
a result of the full and strong cooperation of the stations and
their conviction of the importance of uniting the broadcast for such
an important occasion. They are convinced that joint work is much
better than individual effort and that joint work produces great and
remarkable results, as was the case.”
AMIN/
Internews is involved in training and development of local radio
stations, and is part of an E.U funded project.
This
training has already taken the form of helping and improving
journalistic writing, reporting and broadcast skills. Alongside this
AMIN/Internews has run courses on panel discussions in addition to
technical training, the first of its kind in Palestine.
The
united broadcast is the second such collective effort in Palestine
managed and produce by AMIN/Internews. The first was during
Palestinian Presidential Election Day on January 9, 2005.
http://www.amin.org/
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