GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The Gaza Ministry of Interior will launch an inquiry into complaints by journalists against reporting restrictions in the coastal enclave, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Interior minister Fathi Hammad issued the decision to form the committee, ministry spokesman Islam Shahwan said.
He called on the media to cooperate with the committee.
Hammad has given clear instructions that the work of journalists and media organizations must not be hindered in Gaza, Shahwan added.
On Sunday, a Palestinian press freedom group warned of restrictions and abuse of journalists in the Gaza Strip during a rare demonstration criticizing the Hamas government for negligence in a fire which killed a three-year-old boy.
Palestine Today cameraman Ismail Alibdh was prevented from filming the fire by security officers and told the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms that he was severely beaten before being released, even though he had stopped filming at their request.
Radio station Sawt Alshaab, which ran live coverage of the blaze and ensuing protests, told MADA an anonymous caller to the show threatened to assault staff.
"We often receive threats when we cover sensitive events. I'm calling on Palestinian authorities to provide a safe working environment for journalists," station director Husien Jamal said.
In another incident last week, AFP photographer Mohammed Albaba told MADA that internal security officers prevented all journalists from covering a rally by women calling for political unity.
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