Hamas to enforce media law amid crackdown

"We are all bound by this 1995 press law, and its articles carry the force of the law," said a statement from what was described as Hamas's "information ministry" in the Gaza Strip.

Since Hamas (the Islamic Resistance Movement) seized control of Gaza in a bloody takeover in June, journalists have complained about a crackdown on the press, particularly on media groups linked to the rival Fatah movement.

The 1995 law, which was brought in under the late Yasser Arafat but never enforced, bans the publication of information likely to "endanger national unity, incite crimes or hatred, division and religious dissent."

It also prohibits publication of "secret information" about the police, security forces, their weapons, movements and training camps.

Those convicted risk six months in prison and the three-month suspension of the offending publication or media organisation.

"We cannot change this law, it is the only one we have. We will implement its articles but we respect the freedom of the press," said a Hamas spokesman, Tahar al-Nunu.

Nunu is the head of a new committee set up by Hamas as a "reference point for journalists which is aimed at simplifying the gathering of information about the government," the statement said.

A Hamas-led Palestinian unity government was sacked in the wake of the Gaza takeover by president Mahmud Abbas of the rival Fatah movement, but Hamas insists it remains the only legitimate government.

The Hamas statement also said the committee had the right to conduct raids against media outfits and bureaux and "to summon their members over issues relating to their work."

"We will not deal with organisations which do not have authorisation or do not respect the rules," it added.

Nunu told AFP this measure was aimed at new Internet sites, and not at media organisations already registered.

The latest move was denounced by Abbas's government, which has its power base in the occupied West Bank.

"Hamas wants to control the work of the media under the pretext of reform," information minister Riyad al-Malki said.

The Islamists have been putting pressure on the media in Gaza since it took over the territory, closing down a number of operations linked to Fatah.

Last Friday, members of the Hamas police fired into the air to break up a Fatah demonstration in Gaza and briefly detained an AFP photographer and three cameramen.

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