Fayyad: Press freedom essential for Palestinian state

Freedom of the press must be an essential component of the Palestinian state, resigned premier Salam Fayyad said Sunday. "When it comes to freedom of the press, there is nothing called excessive freedom," Fayyad said while addressing media at a photography awards ceremony in Ramallah. "What we aim to do is to make the freedom of speech a part of our daily life, unrestrained by laws," he said. Fayyad praised Palestinian journalists, especially photographers, and stressed the importance of capturing and circulating what is happening in Palestine. The protection of the freedom of expression is one of the most important priorities of the Palestinian Authority's work, he added. Palestine is ranked 146 out of 179 countries according to the 2012 Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. Print