HAMAS CURBS PRESS, GATHERINGS IN GAZA

Hamas to curb press, gatherings in Gaza . (AP)
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Gaza's Hamas rulers announced tough restrictions on journalists and briefly detained a cameraman Wednesday, widening a crackdown after a rally by the rival Fatah movement ended in bloodshed earlier this week.

Hamas also said it planned to curb public gatherings. ...

Hamas, which violently seized control of Gaza in June, has taken swift action in the wake of this week's Fatah rally, by far the biggest challenge to the Islamic group since its takeover. It arrested more than 400 Fatah loyalists after the rally, and in an edict published on its Web site, said journalists who do not hold press cards from the Hamas-run Interior Ministry would not be allowed to work in Gaza.

News organizations have resisted obtaining the cards because it entails submitting to restrictions, including a vague ban on stories that do not uphold "national responsibilities." The restrictions were first enacted by Fatah in 1995 when it was in power, and used to crack down on Hamas at the time.

"The government will not allow any reporter or photographer to work unless they get the press card," Hamas said. "This decision came after the rally of the Fatah movement in which dozens of cameramen and photographers were observed, not working for any media organization, but using these cameras for political parties and for personal reasons."

Hamas did not say what action would be taken against journalists who do not comply.