Dr. Ahmed Rafiq Awad: Freedom of expression is an essential part of the democratic system and a sacred issue that must be protected by the constitution and the law.

Jawdat Manaa: Modern technologies make it difficult to block the flow of information

Khalil Al-Asali: The war on Gaza revealed the flaws of the Arab, American and European media

Najah Musallam: Blocking satellite channels creates an environment that restricts citizens’ right to access multiple viewpoints

Daoud Kitab: Closing Al Jazeera is a dilemma. In the age of satellite channels, it has become impossible to block information.

Muhammad Zahayka: Any attempt to limit the flow of information or block satellite channels is like fighting windmills.

Imad Al-Asfar: Blocking is not the best solution and civil peace must be preserved

Fadi Abu Saada: The blocking decision is useless and has a negative impact on the channel

The decision taken by the Palestinian Authority to close the office of the Qatari Al Jazeera channel in Ramallah is still reverberating between supporters and opponents, but this does not mean that all opponents of the decision are satisfied with the media policy pursued by Al Jazeera. There are those who oppose such a punitive measure on the grounds that it is useless in light of the massive flow of information via satellite and digital broadcasting and everything that modern technology allows. They also reject the measure because it was not taken within the legal and judicial frameworks, but rather through a government committee of three ministries.

There are those who believe that freedom of expression is a sacred right that cannot be violated, regardless of the arguments and justifications. If there is one measure that the Palestinian Authority can take, it is to present an alternative media narrative. Is there a country in the world, even those considered the most advanced and democratic in the world, that has not imposed restrictions on media content when it conflicts with its laws and principles governing its domestic and foreign policies?

Analysts and writers who spoke to Al-Quds questioned the effectiveness of the measure taken by the Authority against the office.

Al Jazeera, despite their criticism of what they called the “policy of misinformation and incitement” practiced by Al Jazeera, and they saw that it was safer and better to go to court, stressing the importance of distinguishing between the role of Palestinian correspondents who are known for their professionalism and the editorial policy of the channel.

Freedom of expression is a "gift from God to the people"

Writer Dr. Ahmed Rafiq Awad stressed that freedom of expression is a fundamental and sacred issue, and must be protected by the constitution and the law, considering it “a gift from God to the people.”

“Freedom should never be confiscated,” he added, noting that the absence of freedom of expression greatly harms society and leads to a disruption in its interactions.

Awad continued: “Freedom of expression is an essential part of the democratic system, and it reflects the presence of a system based on the separation of powers and the exchange of roles through elections.”

He explained that "freedom of expression is evidence of the health and vitality of society, and that a society that does not enjoy freedom of expression is in an unhealthy state and unable to overcome its problems through effective dialogue."

He pointed out that practical application may face challenges, as the exercise of this freedom may be surrounded by many restrictions and interpretations that limit its effectiveness.

He explained that freedom of expression in the West, although guaranteed by the constitution and within the framework of democratic systems, is subject to many restrictions, noting that this freedom does not mean at all that a person can freely express his opinion on all topics, but rather there are clear limits that cannot be crossed, even in democratically advanced Western societies.

Criticism of Israel is taboo in the West

He said that there are taboos in the West that include criticizing Israel, the Jewish community, or the issue of societal equality such as women's rights and individual freedoms, as expressing opinions on these issues is prohibited.

He added: "The Western press in times of war becomes very recruited to fit the plans of public policy, which means that the press may lose its independence and one opinion is imposed instead of multiple opinions."

He stressed that freedom of expression in the West does not remain the same, but is subject to multiple interpretations and restrictions that are consistent with political and social considerations, noting that this is the case in most parts of the world.

Awad touched on the closure of satellite channels, websites or newspapers, stressing that it is a controversial step that raises many questions and criticisms. He said, "Such decisions are not related to freedom of expression as much as they are primarily political decisions."

Awad added, “The media are not just neutral media platforms, but are driven by politics and interests, as they are funded by parties with political goals and seeking to achieve specific interests.

Therefore, closing any media outlet is a political decision taken based on the interests and trends determined by the funding parties.

He stressed that freedom of expression is subject to many considerations, such as political, spatial and temporal interests, which makes the issue of closing media outlets an unstable phenomenon, but rather variable according to political conditions.

He stressed that closing satellite channels and websites at the present time is wrong, especially in a world where everyone lives in a "small village."

Blocking does not stop the flow of information due to the development of broadcasting technologies

For his part, Jawdat Manaa, a lecturer in media at a number of universities, said that modern technologies make it difficult to block or prohibit the flow of information to the receiving public, although some countries resort to blocking certain websites or closing media offices for political, security or social reasons.

Manaa pointed out that these measures do not stop the flow of information permanently due to the development of satellite broadcasting technologies.

Manaa explained that blocking or closing media institutions is usually subject to profit and loss assessments, especially during times of military conflict. He cited measures taken by the United States during the Iraq War, where media coverage was controlled to ensure that the content was directed in accordance with the state’s vision.

He also pointed to similar cases in the Anglo-Argentine war over the Falklands Islands, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Manaa referred to what he described as "the most dangerous cases of media restrictions" in Palestine, where the press is subjected to serious violations during its coverage of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

He explained that these violations include targeting journalists' offices with direct shelling, which led to the martyrdom of more than 205 journalists, and the destruction of the media infrastructure in the sector.

Banning Al Jazeera channel between supporters and opponents

Regarding the Palestinian Authority’s decision to ban Al Jazeera in the Palestinian territories, Manaa said that the decision sparked controversy between supporters and opponents, as the Authority sees it as a step to protect national security, while some consider it a restriction on media freedom.

He stressed the importance of discussing the issue in a professional and scientific manner, emphasizing the need to improve media performance and the channels’ commitment to professional standards that ensure neutrality.

Regarding Al Jazeera’s performance, Manaa said that most of its employees have prestigious professional backgrounds.

Manaa stressed that the objectivity of the press is the guarantor of freedom of expression, calling for enhancing professionalism in media work and resolving controversial issues through constructive dialogue between the concerned parties, in a way that ensures a balance between media freedom and protecting national security.

Punishing the media is evidence of the weakness of the authority's argument

In turn, Khalil Al-Asali, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalemite newspaper “Akhbar Al-Balad,” said that access to information and freedom of expression by the media are two sacred rights that must not be violated under any circumstances or justification, whether by the executive, judicial, or parliamentary authorities.

Al-Asali explained that any media outlet that publishes an article, news, or image that does not conform to the position of the ruling authority anywhere, the ruling authority must respond appropriately of the same type, i.e. by publishing only what represents its response without resorting to punishing the media outlet, such as closing it or arresting its owner.

He added, "If the authorities choose to punish the media outlet, this is evidence of the weakness of its argument and its inability to address the reader or viewer on the same level."

Al-Asali pointed out that the recent war on Gaza revealed the flaws of all media outlets, whether Arab, American or European.

He said, "This war has proven that the vast majority of these means, regardless of whether they are electronic, television, or paper, and even social media, the vast majority implement different agendas in favor of certain parties, and this is easy to uncover by knowing the source of funding, whether it is advertisements or direct funding."

He explained that it is not permissible to discriminate between one media outlet and another based on affiliation or orientations.

Media chaos and loss of truth

Al-Asali said: “Despite its diversity and abundance, social media has contributed to creating media chaos, losing the truth, and not accessing correct information, which is more vulnerable to spreading rumors. Therefore, it has completely lost its credibility as a reliable source of information and news.”

He added: Journalists have lost confidence in all foreign media outlets because of their double standards, which calls for the need to search for new standards, pointing out that “what was known for neutrality has become a joke, what was known for objectivity has become a subject of ridicule, and what was known as a noble message has become neither a message nor a noble one, but a black paper, as no standards were respected, nor values were applied, and no one has the right to teach us what is correct media (one who does not have something cannot give it), because there is no correct media and wrong media.”

Al-Asali stressed that the media must respect the reader, provide him with useful information, and broaden his horizons, while leaving the freedom of evaluation and choice to the public.

Protecting national security and preventing inflammatory speech

For her part, Najwa Musallam, a journalist and university lecturer at the Faculty of Media, said, “Restricting access to information is a method that some Arab regimes resort to under the pretext of protecting national security or preventing inflammatory speech.”

She cited as an example the blocking of Al Jazeera channel a few days ago in Palestine and other countries, as governments considered it a source of incitement to sedition and influencing their internal stability.

But she stressed that this step entails great harm, most notably the violation of freedom of the media and expression, which are considered basic rights.

Muslim explained that blocking satellite channels creates an environment that restricts the citizen’s right to access multiple viewpoints.

“Blocking is an impractical tool compared to bypass technologies such as the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow users to easily access blocked content,” she said.

Digital platforms have become the most popular alternative.

“Digital platforms have become the most popular alternative for expression and publishing,” she added. “Anyone can access news, videos and live broadcasts through platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and others, making any attempt to block them like trying to prevent water from leaking through a partial dam.”

Instead of resorting to blocking, governments need to adopt more modern media strategies, Muslim explained.

Muslim concluded her speech by saying: “Blocking in the era of open skies is like trying to block out the sun,” noting that “dealing with the media with the logic of persuasion and transparency is the most rational choice that respects the intelligence of the public and its right to knowledge.”

There is no direct benefit from blocking a website or a satellite channel.

Jerusalemite journalist Daoud Kuttab said that in the age of satellite channels it is impossible to block information, and there is no direct benefit from blocking a website or satellite channel.

He pointed out that the role of media funded by governments or royal families does not rise to the level of free professional media.

He added: "We cannot expect any major media institution to sympathize with the Palestinian vision and narrative, as the Palestinian leadership desires."

The book addressed the Palestinian government's decision to close Al Jazeera, describing the decision as a dilemma on several levels, and that it must be discussed in terms of profit and loss at the level of the supreme national interest.

He explained that there is strong evidence and arguments that can be marketed to justify the decision, including complaints submitted by many journalists, and the conclusions of the Journalists Syndicate regarding the unprofessionalism of some reports, including a program that included falsification (using artificial intelligence) of what was happening in Jenin.

Balance between benefit and harm locally and globally

But he stressed that in the final analysis, there must be a balance between the direct benefit of a decision as large as closing Al Jazeera's offices, versus the harm at the local, regional and global levels.

Writers called for the need to separate Al Jazeera's news apparatus from other departments.

He said: "There is no doubt that the news team and its workers have given a lot to the Palestinian cause, and have sacrificed their lives and the lives of their families in order for the truthful Palestinian information and narrative to be conveyed."

He believed that it would have been possible and preferable to boycott the programmes, and to continue dealing with the news department, for example, without limitation.

Kuttab called for the need to pay attention to the national media. He said, "I do not mean here the official media, but it is necessary to support the independent media, not necessarily with money, but rather to provide information, interviews and exclusive news to the independent Palestinian media, so that it becomes an important and credible source for everyone."

Blocking satellite channels is a futile policy that promotes rumors

For his part, media professional Mohammed Zahayka expressed his belief that any attempt to limit the flow of information or block satellite channels is like fighting windmills.

He said: "In the age of cyberspace and the information revolution, the policy of censorship, blocking, or restricting it becomes a blind policy, the harm of which is greater than its benefit. There are always alternatives that can be resorted to, through which information can be obtained and events can be tracked."

Zahayka explained that this ban allows those who spread and promote rumours to take off like bats from their nests and launch arrows of sabotage and destruction, and “we know the serious damage that these rumours can cause in terms of confusion and chaos.”

He said: “I do not think there are clear benefits behind the policy of blocking and withholding news and preventing other opinions. We must learn that freedom of expression is something sacred and that knowing the various aspects of the truth is the best way to establish the concepts of comprehensive freedom and to launch the freedom to reach a healthy and recovering society capable of facing all challenges.”

Zahayka added, "Exchanging different opinions has proven to be the only healthy thing that allows us to reach the truth of things, identify weaknesses and shortcomings, and address and overcome them."

Zahayka concluded his speech by emphasizing that societies cannot advance and achieve their desired goals except through building a free democratic system.

He pointed out that freedom of expression is the key to progress, the secret to advancement, ascension and building advanced civilized societies.

Blocking the media is not the best solution

Media expert Imad Al-Asfar believes that blocking the media is not the best solution, stressing the importance of preventing reaching the stage of making decisions such as blocking, closing, or temporary suspension.

He said: "This requires adherence to laws, ethics, and not harming civil peace.

He added that if any of these principles are violated, the imposition of punishment becomes obligatory, regardless of its ability to deter.

He stressed that criminalizing the act is sometimes important, even if you cannot impose a penalty, pointing out that there are arbitrary closure decisions, but in the case of Al Jazeera, the decisive factor is to resort to professional ethics and to the charter of Al Jazeera itself.

Al-Asfar said, "I did not find anyone, even among the most enthusiastic supporters of Al Jazeera and the most hateful of the authorities, who would acquit Al Jazeera of the charge of inciting against the authorities. Many believe that its broadcasts threaten what remains of our civil peace."

The decision to block Al Jazeera channel is of no real use

In turn, journalist Fadi Abu Saada confirmed that the decision to block Al Jazeera in Palestine has no real benefit, explaining that it would have been better to separate the Palestinian employees of the channel from the editorial line adopted by the Qatari Al Jazeera.

Abu Saada pointed out that Al Jazeera's Palestinian journalists are "patriots and not necessarily affiliated with any foreign agenda," stressing that the protest speech should have been directed at the channel's management, not at the journalists working in the field.

He explained that the decision to suspend Al Jazeera's operations will not prevent the Palestinian public from following it in different ways, and may have an adverse effect in favor of the channel, based on the rule that says: "Everything forbidden is desired."

Abu Saada praised the professionalism of Al Jazeera's Palestinian correspondents, such as Walid Al-Omari, the martyr Shireen Abu Akleh, Guevara Al-Badri, and Najwan Samri, stressing that they represent the pinnacle of media performance in conveying the truth and reality.

In contrast, Abu Saada pointed out that the problem does not lie with the field correspondents, but rather with “the interviewers in Qatar or the reports written inside the newsrooms,” as he considered that there is sometimes a clear tendency to try to “fish in troubled waters.”