The Israeli government has submitted the names of thousands of journalists for scrutiny by the secret service under new rules for press accreditation, a local newspaper reported Wednesday. Danny Seaman, head of the government press office, declined to comment on the report published in the Haaretz newspaper. Seaman said Monday reporters would not be subject to security clearance until the start of next year. Israel’s Foreign Press Association has protested the security scrutiny as “an utter violation of freedom of the press,” and national press groups have also voiced opposition. Seaman had told Reuters that Israeli and foreign journalists seeking government accreditation would undergo security checks due to mounting security concerns arising from a three-year-old Palestinian uprising. Previously most cards have been issued without review. About 15,000 journalists currently holding government-issued press cards will have to produce a lawyer’s affidavit and pay a fee for a press pass. Full Story
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