The Middle East media frontline

Although we all know that violence makes headlines, coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should not fixate on negatives

Khaled Diab
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 19 March 2009 11.00 GMT

The media is an important front in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That is why I ventured on to this particular battlefield with a slight sense of trepidation. I had been invited to address a group of Israeli and Jewish fellows.

In order to build understanding and find common ground, I always welcome the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Israelis and Jews, both to challenge and be challenged. Moreover, the chance to address, and perhaps influence, tomorrow's possible opinion-shapers was an additional lure.

There is a lot of controversy at the moment surrounding the issue of how the media covers the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides alleging bias against them. The exchange of fire over this issue became particularly heated during the recent conflict in Gaza.

After considering the cases put forward by various pro-Israeli, pro-Palestinian and independent media watchdogs, as well as anecdotal evidence, I outlined my reading of the complex and shifting media topography. A disclaimer first: it's difficult to make hard and fast generalisations about the media. In addition, bias can sometimes be in the eye of the beholder, and even the most well-intentioned and balanced journalist cannot be completely impartial.

Nevertheless, certain patterns are discernible. In the west, despite a closing of the gap in recent years, Israel's well-oiled media machine is still ahead, especially where it counts, while the Palestinians are way out front in the Arab world.

There is something of a transatlantic divide, with the American mainstream media firmly pro-Israeli, while the European media is often sympathetic to the Palestinians. That said, certain countries in Europe tend to be quite firmly pro-Israeli, such as in Germany and Poland, as well as the tabloid press in the UK. In the US, while opinion has hardened in favour of Israel in the conservative media, Palestinian perspectives are beginning to make inroads, especially in smaller and more liberal media outlets.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/18/middleeast-palestinian-territories