Hamas further tightened its restrictions on journalists. AP writes:
. . . in an edict published on its Web site Wednesday, it said journalists who do not hold official press cards from the Hamas-run Interior Ministry would not be allowed to work in Gaza. News organizations have resisted obtaining the cards because it entails submitting to restrictions, including a vague ban on stories that do not uphold “national responsibilities.”
The restrictions were first enacted by Fatah in 1995 when it was in power, and used to crack down on Hamas at the time.
“The government will not allow any reporter or photographer to work unless they get the press card,” Hamas said. “This decision came after the rally of the Fatah movement in which dozens of cameramen and photographers were observed, not working for any media organization, but using these cameras for political parties and for personal reasons.”
Hamas did not say what action would be taken against journalists who do not comply.
Related reading: Hamas Issuing Media Credentials
