Their News [Archives:2009/1226/Local News]
ARTICLE 19 Statement about Gaza
In an escalation of Israeli attacks on media professionals, a missile or shell hit a Gaza tower block home to Reuters and other international media organizations on January 15. The 13th floor of al-Shurouq Tower struck the offices of Abu Dhabi television injuring one of its journalists and a Reuters cameraman.
ARTICLE 19 also strongly condemns Israel's detention of two Palestinian journalists working for the Iranian Al-Alam television station in Ramallah on January 5, 2009. Hadir Shaheen 34, and Mohammed Sarhan, 26 were arrested in Jerusalem on charges of broadcasting information on the deployment of Israeli soldiers into Gaza which was subject to 'military censorship.'
More than 1000 Palestinians have so far been killed and more than 5000 are injured. Among the killed, more than 300 are children and hundreds more are wounded.
The continuous ban of foreign media entering the Gaza strip and the severe attacks on media personnel in Gaza is evidence of the Israeli authorities' determined attempts to control and manage the news coming out of Gaza. “The denial of access to Gaza for journalists prevents the important circulation of essential information on the plight of those most in need” said Dr. Agnes Callamard, ARTICLE 19's Executive Director.
“History and experience have stressed the importance of protecting a free flow of information about conflict situations so as to expose any abuses that may occur and create a climate in which the conflicts may be resolved. Media freedom must be respected, not restricted, if peace is to be won” added Dr. Callamard.
Media workers benefit from the full protection granted by international humanitarian law to civilians, in both international and non-international armed conflicts. Journalists are considered civilians under Article 79 of Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, provided they do not do anything or behave in any way that might compromise this status. Any deliberate attack on a journalist that causes death or serious physical injury is a major breach of this Protocol and deemed a war crime. This protection under the Geneva Convention was reiterated by Security Council Resolution 1738 concerning the protection of journalists and media personnel in conflict zones.
ARTICLE 19 supports urgent international calling for a UN-led investigation into a range of attacks in which civilians were killed or injured, and civilian buildings were destroyed. ARTICLE 19 in particular calls for the international investigation to include the targeting of media professionals in Gaza and the shelling of media buildings. A19 calls on the international community to implement UN Human Rights Council resolution (A/HRC/S-9/L.2) adopted on January 12, 2009, which, among other matters calls for “Free access of media to areas of conflict through media corridors” into Gaza
MILC Admission Announcement
MILC is Media Integrated Learning Centre, located in the cosmopolitan city of Greenwich in London. It is only 5 miles away from the main city central London with easy access from all forms of public and private transport.
The Media Integrated Learning Centre (MILC) is a post 16 education and training provider for both part-time and full-time students in the following programs: Business and Management, Media and Communications, Languages, Computing, Hospitality and Creative Arts. We also provide over 50 community based adult learning programs.
The qualifications we offer at level 1 and level 2 of HNC (Higher National Certificate) and HND (Higher National Diploma) are accredited by the leading examination body of the United Kingdom called the EDEXCEL; our two-year diplomas lead to the final year of the degree program.
Most of our courses are classroom based and run from our premises in Greenwich but there are some that are offered by our satellite centers and partner institutes, nationally and internationally. We are also offering some distance learning programs which are available from our dedicated e-Learning zone accessible via our homepage.
We have highly qualified and professional tutors who are very supportive and aim to make sure our learners receive expert tuition where necessary. We also have devoted members of staff on hand to advise our learners on anything from welfare and accommodation to personal problems and financial issues.
We welcome all students to achieve their personal and professional ambitions. Our commitment is to help learners succeed in their learning and future career, hence we continue to build on the links with other providers of education and training, including colleges, universities, professional associations and voluntary organizations.
If you are interested in the course you would like to apply for, please click on 'how to apply' on the main page and complete the online application or simply download the paper-based application form and send it to us, with copies of your qualifications and any other relevant information by registering yourself online at http://www.milc. org.uk/pages/ register.htm or directly contacting at undersigned address. Our Student Counseling Officer will shortly contact you.
Lebanese American scholarship opportunity
The Young Women Leaders (YWL) program at the Lebanese American University in Beirut announces a scholarship opportunity for 20 women rights activists from organizations in the Arab Gulf countries to participate in its two summer leadership training modules in Beirut, offered during the first two weeks of August of every year (2009 and 2010) and is intended to advance the leadership skills of women activists in the Arab Gulf countries.
Interested candidates should fill in the application (available on the website www.ywl.lau.edu.lb) and submit it to YWL before January 31, 2009 by email, or fax, or mail.
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 961-1-867-098
Mail: Dr. Nabelah Haraty
Young Women Leaders Program
Lebanese American University
P.O. Box 13-5053
Beirut 1102-2801 – Lebanon
Selection of candidates will begin in February, 2009 and successful participants and their organizations will be notified by email in March, 2009.
IATA reiterates its environmental commitment even in times of crisis
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted aviation's commitment to its environmental responsibility at the inauguration of its aviation and environment display at Rome's Fiumicino Airport.
“Our commitment to environmental responsibility is firm and strong. Aviation accounts for 2% of global CO2 emissions. The industry's constant commitment to efficiency has kept us a small part of the big problem of climate change. Even as we face the worst revenue situation in 50 years – with US$2.5 billion in losses this year, following a US$5 billion loss in 2008 – we are determined to continue to deliver effective solutions that reduce aviation's emissions,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO.
IATA is leading the air transport industry's efforts to address climate change and improve aviation's environmental performance with a four-pillar strategy: investing in technology, flying planes effectively, building efficient infrastructure and using positive economic measures. “No other industry is as united in its approach. The IATA vision is to achieve carbon-neutral growth on the way to a carbon-free future,” said Bisignani.
“The strategy is delivering results. Aviation's emissions will fall 4.5% in 2009. Part of this is due to the expected 2.5% reduction in traffic as a result of the global economic crisis. The rest is directly related to the strategy. Airlines are investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and retiring old ones. The numbers are impressive. In the first 11 months of 2008 1,037 new aircraft – with improved fuel efficiencies of 20-30% – were delivered. These replace 881 inefficient old aircraft which were parked,” Bisignani said.
IATA's environment leadership is also contributing to reducing fuel burn. “Working with airlines, airports and air navigation service providers, we have saved 59 million tonnes of CO2 since 2004, equal to US$12.2 billion in fuel costs. In 2008 alone we identified and saved 15 million tonnes of CO2, equal to US$5 billion,” Bisignani added. Since 2001 the air transport industry improved its fuel efficiency by 19%. By 2020 the industry target is to achieve a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to 2005.
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