Skip to content

Other Languages

World Press Freedom Day 2008

What Does Press Freedom Mean to You?

Views from the Middle East

Internews interviewed everyday people in Jordan, Lebanon and the West Bank on how they see press freedom.

Deema Shahin“Freedom of the press is only accomplished when money has no influence on information and information access. And when political power doesn’t have an effect on to whom and how information is distributed. When no one is above the law and everyone is penalized equally, that’s when you have press freedom.” – Deema Shahin, Project Officer and Journalist, Media Unit, Princess Basma Youth Resource Center, Amman, Jordan

Ibrahim Yehya“Freedom of press raises the value of the human being, preserves the healthy society; without freedom of press, the people will never live in dignity. When there was no freedom of press, we could not know what is happening in the Arab world, but now we realize the frustration and lack of freedom in that world." – Ibrahim Yehya, Merchant, West Bank

Rawan Khrais“Freedom of the press means to me expressing myself freely without limits, but respecting boundaries at the same time. It also means finding solutions for problems by finding someone who’ll listen to what I have to say.” – Rawan Khrais: Host, Farah FM, Amman, Jordan

Souran Jostanian"Freedom of press is linked to democratic countries. In dictatorial countries like some Arab regions, there is pressure on press not freedom of press." – Souran Jostanian, age 22, Beirut, Lebanon

George Karanjian"Freedom of press means that journalism has to be a communicating tool between politicians and people in a certain country. It gives feedback to the politicians about the reaction of people towards the rules and laws the politicians are developing. This helps to change or modify these rules according to the people needs." – Goerge Karanjian, age 64, Restaurant Owner, Beirut, Lebanon

Islah Abu Mayallah“Freedom of press is a must, but, press should also be committed to certain limits. In our case, (in Palestine) I believe that journalists enjoy freedom and democracy. I studied in the Arab countries, where freedom of press is tied, but here no government or other side intervenes. I believe the only problem before journalists is the occupation.” – Islah Abu Mayallah, Civil Employee, West Bank

Murad Khawaja“Freedom of the press is the means to express what is otherwise hard to say. Press should be a sacred word. It should regain the respect it lost nowadays. A journalist should be treated with utmost respect, and his mission is to be considered a sacred one.” – Murad Khawaja: Club House Mentor, Princess Basma Youth Resource Center, Amman, Jordan

Riwa Nasrallah"Freedom of press means to be able to give information in an objective way. The subjects a journalist is reporting about must be covered without defending or disfiguring anyone." – Riwa Nasrallah, age 22, University Student, Beirut, Lebanon

Return to World Press Freedom Newsletter