(21 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York – 21 May 2024
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Pace, Executive Editor, The Associated Press:
"We at the Associated Press decry in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government which has shut down our longstanding live feed showing a view into Gaza and seized AP equipment. The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but rather an abusive use by the Israeli government of the country’s new foreign broadcaster law. The live shot has generally shown smoke rising over Gaza. We comply with Israel’s rules prohibiting broadcasts of details like troop movements that could endanger soldiers. We urge the Israeli government to return our equipment and enable us to reinstate our live feed immediately so we can continue to provide this important visual journalism to thousands of media outlets around the world."
++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++
STORYLINE:
The Associated Press on Tuesday denounced the Israeli government’s seizure of a camera and broadcasting equipment belonging to the news organization in southern Israel.
Israel had accused the news organization of violating a new media law by providing images to Al Jazeera.
The Qatari satellite channel is among thousands of clients that receive live video feeds from the AP and other news organizations.
The AP’s Executive Editor Julie Pace said the organisation decried the actions of the Israeli government "in the strongest terms."
"The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but rather an abusive use by the Israeli government of the country’s new foreign broadcaster law," she added.
The AP has broadcast a live transmission from southern Israel, looking towards the Gaza Strip for several months, generally showing smoke rising over the territory.
Pace said this live feed complied "with Israel’s rules prohibiting broadcasts of details like troop movements that could endanger soldiers."
Officials from the Communications Ministry arrived at the AP location in southern Israel on Tuesday afternoon and seized the equipment.
They handed the AP a piece of paper, signed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, alleging it was violating the country’s foreign broadcaster law.
Shortly before, the equipment was broadcasting a general view of northern Gaza.
The AP complies with Israel’s military censorship rules, which prohibit broadcasts of details like troops movements that could endanger soldiers.
The live shot has generally shown smoke rising over the territory.
The seizure followed a verbal order Thursday to cease the live transmission — which the news organization refused to do.
Pace urged Israeli authorities to "return our equipment and enable us to reinstate our live feed immediately so we can continue to provide this important visual journalism to thousands of media outlets around the world."
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