Data on media, cultural centers in Palestine

There are 45 operational radio and television stations in the West Bank distributed in all governorates excluding Tubas, Salfit and al-Quds, said the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS).

Regarding the type of station in the West Bank, 56% are radio stations; 38% TV stations and 6% are both radio and TV stations. About three quarters of stations produce programs in cooperation with other parties.

Transmission of local programs comprises about 44% of all transmission hours.

There are 450 employees (71% are males and 29% females) working for radio and television stations. About 4% of the staff in the stations have education level of less than secondary school, while 96% have education level of secondary or higher.

About 68% of the employees in the radio and TV stations are specialists compared with 32% as non-specialists. 

Total number of operating cultural centers in the Palestinian Territory in 2010 reached 471 of which 350 were in the West Bank and 121 in Gaza Strip

While there are functioning cultural centers throughout the Palestinian Territory, the northern West Bank city of Nablus, however, recorded the highest with 70 centers, followed by al-Khalil ('Hebron') governorate in the south with 65 cultural centers.

The total number of people working in the cultural centers reached 3,388, of whom 52% were males and 48% females.

About 64% of the cultural centers receive financial or in-kind support from local communities (68% in the West Bank and 52% in Gaza Strip). About 88% of cultural centers occupy rented buildings of which 86% in the West Bank and 96% in Gaza Strip.  While 9% of cultural centers occupy owned buildings, 1% occupy donated buildings and 2% occupy mixed buildings (rented, owned and donated).

Libraries are available in 42% of the cultural centers in the Palestinian Territory where the West Bank comprises 41% and 44% in Gaza Strip. About three quarters of cultural centers with libraries provide special section for children.  Moreover, 40% of cultural centers are equipped to receive individuals with special needs.

More than one quarter of cultural centers have computer lab (30% in the West Bank and 22% in Gaza Strip).  From these centers with computer lab, 69% have internet connection.

There are 65 operating public libraries in the Palestinian Territory including 52 in the West Bank and 13 in Gaza Strip. Libraries are distributed in all governorates.

The number of employees in public libraries amounted to 140 of whom 46% are males.  About 7% of the employees in public libraries have educational level of less than secondary school and 93% have secondary or higher education.

The number of beneficiaries from the services of public libraries reached 90,040 persons in the Palestinian Territory; distributed by region as 94% in the West Bank and 6% in Gaza Strip; while the distribution by sex indicates 48% as males compared to 52% females.

About 97% of public libraries are visited for reading, distributed to 97% in the West Bank and 100% in Gaza Strip. On the other hand, 94% of public libraries are visited for borrowing titles.

Public libraries that are visited by persons with special needs amounted to 40% of which 40% in the West Bank and 39% in Gaza Strip.

There are six museums in the Palestinian Territory all of which are located in the West Bank. Two are in Beit Lahm ('Bethlehem') and one each in Nablus, Ramallah, al-Khalil ('Hebron') and al-Quds ('Jerusalem'). 

There are 14 employees working in the museums, distributed as 64% males 36% females.  Regarding education level of employees, 21% have less than secondary school level of education and 79% have secondary or higher education.

The number of operating theaters in the Palestinian Territory is 15, with 14 theaters in the West Bank and one in Gaza Strip.

The number of employees in theatres reached 87 employees of whom 71% are males. The majority of these employees have secondary or higher education while less than one quarter have less than secondary school level. About 46% of employees in theatres are specialized in acting. 

The number of publishing and distribution agencies in the Palestinian Territory amounted to nine, of which eight are located in the West Bank and one in Gaza Strip.

About 22% of publishing and distribution agencies do publishing only; 11% do printing only; and 67% do both printing and publishing. Additionally, 89% of publishing and distribution agencies print books, 11% print newspapers, 11% print magazines, while 22% print other cultural materials.