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The Palestine Right to Return Coalition (http://Al-awda.org) is the largest network of activists for Palestinian human rights.  Its media committee works to ensure fair and accurate reporting Palestine and Palestinian human rights.  2003 was a difficult year for Palestinians suffering under Israeli colonization and occupation.  Our media committee was very active.  Here is a glimpse of our accomplishments and a call for your support.

- Members of the media committee provided content for Al-Awda.org webpage.  The web beamed a dynamic resource for activists that is regularly updated.  http://Al-Awda.org now receives over 7000 hits per day.  The number of hits has been increasing steadily (see http://www.al-awda.org/stats ).

- In 2003, members of the media committee submitted over 8000 letters and op-eds (average over 700/month).  Over 200 were published.  Outlets range from local to regional to national and to international. This included local newspapers (e.g. The Day), campus newspapers, and national and international outlets (like the New York Times and Time Magazine).

- Members of Al-Awda media committee interviewed and appeared regularly in both broadcast and print media (estimated appearances over 200 times). This includes both US and International outlets(examples of the variety of outlets include MSNBC, NY Times, Voice of Palestine, The Forward, Hartford Courant, Philadelphia Enquirer, WPKN, Iran Radio, South African Radio, etc.

- We compiled a list of 48 speakers who can articulate a human rights perspective.  This list was printed in a foldout with lamination and sent with a cover letter to over 50 key media outlets (sent in December).  We plan to send more in January.

- Members of the media committee were invited to speak as well as organized over 400 teach-ins and panels that reached literally thousands of people.

- Our members printed buttons and brochures and distributed these at local and national events.

- We started a book program.  Books are obtained from publishers and distributed at events.  Currently participating publishers include Pluto Press, Southend Press, and Institute for Palestine Study.

- We started a program to print informative booklets.  The first one began to be distributed in 2003.  A literature advisory committee was established by Al-Awda Coordinating Committee.

- Our members were key in making sure direct action events receive good and fair media coverage.

- Our members put dozens of videos on public access TV and participated in promoting and working with alternative media outlets.

- Members of Al-Awda media committee were key in facilitating work and publicity for the Wheels of Justice Tour  (see http://justicewheels.org).

- For earlier accomplishments [and information about supporting the organization] see Al-awda.org/mediaaccomplishmentscumulative