Ramallah:Shireen Al-Khatib, Acting Director of the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), has announced the launch of a new digital application named "Monitor." This app is designed to allow journalists and human rights defenders to document and report violations safely and confidentially. It also features an interactive map to alert users of danger zones amidst increasing attacks and restrictions on media and human rights activities in Palestine.
According to Maan News Agency, the announcement was made during an interview with Al-Khatib on the 'Morning Show' program, hosted by journalist Adel Gharib and aired on Radio Al-Raba'a, Ma'an TV, and Ma'an Radio Network. Al-Khatib highlighted that the 'Monitor' application is an advanced digital tool aimed at enhancing the protection of journalists and human rights defenders. It enables direct reporting of violations via smartphones, bypassing the need for immediate contact with field researchers.
Al-Khatib explained that the application was developed in response to the rising number of violations against journalists and media institutions, particularly since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip. These violations include arrest, summons, prevention of press coverage, confiscation of equipment, threats, and online harassment. The application is funded by the European Union as part of the 'Engee' project, implemented by the Palestinian Women's Association in partnership with An-Najah National University and MADA Center.
The application allows for the submission of detailed reports with texts, images, videos, and audio recordings, along with geographical and temporal data of the violations. Reports can be classified by the nature of the violation and responsible entity, whether Israeli or Palestinian, social media platforms, or others. This system facilitates professional monitoring and documentation processes, enhancing MADA Center's capacity to track violations affecting media and human rights workers.
A key security feature of the app is protecting whistleblowers' data during phone searches at Israeli military checkpoints. Reports are transferred from the user's phone to the MADA Center's control panel without being stored on the device. The app also includes data encryption, personal data control, and login options using facial or fingerprint recognition to enhance privacy and security.
One of the app's standout features is its interactive map, which allows users to report areas with security risks, sending warning notifications to other users about potential dangers. This feature aims to improve field safety for journalists and human rights defenders, allowing them to take necessary precautions.
While the app is available for both Android and iPhone, it is specifically designed for journalists and human rights defenders, not the general public. Al-Khatib noted a high demand for the application since its release, viewing it as an extension of MADA Center's work in monitoring and documenting violations against Palestinian journalists. She urged all journalists and human rights defenders to download the 'Monitor' app, utilize its services, and actively participate in reporting violations.
Al-Khatib concluded by emphasizing that MADA Center has a specialized team to follow up on reports received through the application, with the primary goal of developing protection and documentation mechanisms to enable Palestinian journalists to work in a safer environment.