New premises of Palestinian News Agency in Ramallah opened
19-07-2005 (Ramallah)
UNESCO, together with the Government of Italy and the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Information Ahmad Soboh recently inaugurated the new premises of the WAFA agency in Ramallah in the presence of UNESCO Deputy Director-General Marcio Barbosa.
Welcoming the guests to their new premises, WAFA proudly displayed part of the latest infrastructure acquired with UNESCO and the Government of Italy’s support under a programme towards reinforcing and restructuring the news agency both in the West Bank and Gaza.
During the opening ceremony Mr. Barbosa commended WAFA’s long history in the region as a source of information. “WAFA has been active and has continued to work under most difficult conditions, to give its own people and the outside world its picture of what is actually happening,” said Mr Barbosa.
Mr Barbosa added that communication is an important tool for the attainment of political socio-economic and cultural objectives. The main aim of rehabilitating infrastructure and human capacity, together with enhancing the journalistic skills by introducing soft and hard wares and with the provision of training for journalists as well as for the technical staff has been positively accomplished.
WAFA looks forward to meeting future challenges, particularly in relation to today’s information society in which WAFA must play a leading role. UNESCO through its mandate to freedom of expression, public service broadcasting and a free and independent media is proud to work with the Palestinian media to achieve such goals.
During the opening ceremony Mr. Barbosa commended WAFA’s long history in the region as a source of information. “WAFA has been active and has continued to work under most difficult conditions, to give its own people and the outside world its picture of what is actually happening,” said Mr Barbosa.
Mr Barbosa added that communication is an important tool for the attainment of political socio-economic and cultural objectives. The main aim of rehabilitating infrastructure and human capacity, together with enhancing the journalistic skills by introducing soft and hard wares and with the provision of training for journalists as well as for the technical staff has been positively accomplished.
WAFA looks forward to meeting future challenges, particularly in relation to today’s information society in which WAFA must play a leading role. UNESCO through its mandate to freedom of expression, public service broadcasting and a free and independent media is proud to work with the Palestinian media to achieve such goals.
F. Sokolowicz, Consul of Italy, A. Soboh, Deputy Minister of Information, M. Barbosa, UNESCO© UNESCO
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2005
· Palestinian Authority: News Archives 2005
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Contact information
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Contact
- Antti Kuusi, Media Adviser, UNESCO Office in Ramallah
- Daphne Mullett, UNESCO,Division of Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace
- UNESCO
Source
- UNESCO Office in Ramallah
Field office