RN Feature: Reporting on the occupied Palestinian territories
Series: RN Focus on Torn Lives - Stories from the Holy Land
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Length: 00:14:47
Since the outbreak of the second intifada or Palestinian uprising, it has become increasingly difficult for Palestinian and Israeli journalists to cover events in the occupied territories. Reporters and civilians face long waits at border crossings and checkpoints within the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This is the one of the few problems that Palestinian and Israeli journalists covering the territories share.
The Israeli public's interest in the Palestinians has waned since the collapse of the Oslo peace process. The few Israeli reporters who are based in the occupied territories are generally regarded as collaborators. Most journalists who report on developments there rely on Israeli military or intelligence sources, who tend to give a distorted image of reality on the ground.
Palestinian journalists, for their part, cannot obtain Israeli accreditation and must endure long waits at checkpoints like ordinary Palestinians. Censorship doesn't officially exist under the
Palestinian Authority or PA, but reporters have been locked up and tortured. They also face threats from militant Islamic movements. As a result, they are limiting their reporting to the comings and goings of politicians. Over 70% of Palestinians now rely on foreign satellite stations for coverage of events in the territories.
For more information, contact joan@SchardtMEDIA.org
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Piece Description
Since the outbreak of the second intifada or Palestinian uprising, it has become increasingly difficult for Palestinian and Israeli journalists to cover events in the occupied territories. Reporters and civilians face long waits at border crossings and checkpoints within the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This is the one of the few problems that Palestinian and Israeli journalists covering the territories share. The Israeli public's interest in the Palestinians has waned since the collapse of the Oslo peace process. The few Israeli reporters who are based in the occupied territories are generally regarded as collaborators. Most journalists who report on developments there rely on Israeli military or intelligence sources, who tend to give a distorted image of reality on the ground. Palestinian journalists, for their part, cannot obtain Israeli accreditation and must endure long waits at checkpoints like ordinary Palestinians. Censorship doesn't officially exist under the Palestinian Authority or PA, but reporters have been locked up and tortured. They also face threats from militant Islamic movements. As a result, they are limiting their reporting to the comings and goings of politicians. Over 70% of Palestinians now rely on foreign satellite stations for coverage of events in the territories. For more information, contact joan@SchardtMEDIA.org
Transcript
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has intensified since the outbreak of the second intifada or Palestinian uprising in 2000. The suicide bombings perpetrated by Palestinian extremists and the ongoing Israeli occupation and incursions into the territories have hardened positions on both sides. Israel’s construction of a security barrier or wall is further reducing contacts between Palestinians and Israelis. Journalists could play a key role in helping to bridge the chasm between the two peoples by creating awareness of how the conflict is affecting ordinary citizens on both sides. But are the Israeli and Palestinian media doing that? Radio Netherlands’ Eric Beauchemin recently travelled to the region and prepared this report.
CLIP - KOL ISRAEL
The Israeli media’s coverage of Palestinian affairs has ebbed and flowed according to the prospects for peace in the region. In...
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Musical Works
Min al Mukkayyam Toulad Al Ru'aya; Sabaya al Intifada; Palestine Music of the Intifada; CDVE 29; 1989; 0'45"
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Jonathan Goldstein
Posted on October 31, 2004 at 01:41 PM | Permalink
Review of Reporting on the occupied Palestinian territories
This is very straight ahead, even-handed journalism, and it never comes across as academic or preachy. In under 15 minutes, this piece manages to be incredibly informative, thoughtful, and emotional. It isn’t often enough that a story turns its attention to the manner in which the Middle East is reported. And it is rarer still that such a story can be, at the same time, so engaging and never ranty or accusatory. This is a common sense choice for anyone looking for extra Middle East coverage. It offers perspective and most surprisingly, it also manages to somehow leave you with a sense that maybe there is still some hope of peace.