AMMAN
– In a time when a war is raging on the ground, there is another equally
significant war taking place in the media, with the occupiers and their
supporters facing off against the resistance and sympathizers from around the
world.
اضافة اعلان
Western
media has breached the principles and ethics of journalistic work during its
coverage of the war on Gaza, depicting the Israeli side as a victim of Al-Aqsa
Flood operation, without acknowledging the fierce Israeli response. As the
Israeli occupation forces continued to demolish homes, hospitals, and schools,
killing thousands of children and women, the official Western media narrated a
single narrative, portraying the perpetrator as the victim—a narrative that is
gradually fading away.
Despite
the official Western political and media bias in favor of Israel, the
Palestinian narrative has begun to prevail, making the voice of resistance
heard. Tel Aviv and its allies can no longer conceal the reality of the
violations occurring in Palestinian territory. This has forced the occupation
to isolate Gaza, cutting off its communications and internet access.
The Western media proves to be less
independent and more restricted than it claimsOraib
Al Rantawi, the founder and director of the Al Quds Center for Political
Studies told
Jordan News, “that this
media is a supporter and follower of Western colonial policy. It has kept pace
with Western hysteria, which supports and partners with Israel in the war on
Gaza and the Palestinian people.”
“When
adopting the Israeli narrative, it loses its professionalism and audience. It
contradicts itself in false claims and has called for professional and
objective journalism that conveys the truth, presents both sides of the story,
and ignores the Palestinian narrative entirely.”
“It
failed to provide the Arab perspective despite Israel committing ethnic
cleansing, genocide, collective punishment, and extensive destruction in Gaza.
However, a slight change in the performance of these media outlets is being
felt due to leaked reports to journalistic institutions like CNN, BBC, and The
Guardian, revealing contradictions in the Israeli narrative. It is evident that
this media, claiming independence, is subservient to these governments and
subject to pressure groups, making it unreliable.”
“that this media is a supporter and follower of Western colonial policy. It has kept pace with Western hysteria, which supports and partners with Israel in the war on Gaza and the Palestinian people.”
On
the other hand, Rantawi mentioned the "media of the poor and
oppressed," represented by social media platforms, succeeded in conveying
the Palestinian image and narrative despite restrictions and the dominance of
social media institutions. There has been a complete turnaround in public
opinion, as supporters of Palestinian content on social media exceed 95%, while
supporters of Israeli content make up only 5%.
Rantawi
affirmed that bias for the Palestinian cause in media coverage is the standard
of professionalism in this war. The false neutrality that equates between
fascists and neo-Nazis and between victims is considered complicit with the
Israeli narrative. The Arab media is required to be biased towards the
oppressed, the victims, and the women and children of Gaza, conveying the true
image. While Western media refrained from doing so, Arab media is expected to
be partial in favor of the victims in the face of the Israeli narrative.
The Gaza war highlighted the need for
more global Arab media
The
president of the Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists Nidal Mansour told
Jordan News that, “Western media built
its reputation on principles of independence, credibility, and professionalism.
There have been accusations against Arab media, claiming it is not independent,
controlled by governments, and lacks professional standards and codes of
conduct. However, during the aggression on Gaza, new alarming data has
surfaced, revealing the blatant negligence of renowned Western media
institutions in verifying misleading and false narratives.”
“Instead,
they embraced and promoted these narratives as facts. In the initial days of
the aggression, Western media propagated stories about decapitating children,
adopting these narratives without fact-checking, despite the availability of
verification methods such as image analysis, presenting diverse perspectives,
and scrutinizing or commenting on the sources from other parties.”
Furthermore,
Mansour noted that Western media endorsed Israeli propaganda through
individuals with vested interests in disseminating these lies. Days later, it
became evident that these were fabrications. This situation indicates that
media outlets did not lack expertise in fact-checking but chose to align
themselves with the Israeli narrative. Mansour added that the war on Gaza
exposed the core of media independence globally, making it impossible to
discuss media independence after what transpired.
“Media
is directed by security apparatuses, intelligence, and governments,” he said.
Mansour
emphasized that “reconsidering ethical codes of conduct requires an extended
period, and the crucial lesson from the aggression on Gaza is the need for Arab
media capable of being present on the global stage, addressing the world in
multiple languages.”
“The
war highlighted the importance of having an Arab media that engages with the
international community and leverages social media platforms. Investigating the
role of social media platforms and pressuring them, at the people, government,
and systemic levels, is essential to compel them to adhere to clear guidelines
that respect freedom of opinion, expression, and achieve balance.”
Referring
to Al-Jazeera as a model, Mansour highlighted the need for studying how to
create an international balance for Arab issues related to Arab justice.
Supporting the Palestinian cause does not imply bias in coverage but is a
defense of a right supported by international treaties and agreements, starting
with the right of resistance as stipulated in the International Humanitarian
Law and the international treaties. When discussing war crimes in international
humanitarian law and child displacement, statements from the enemy's leaders
affirm what the Arab and Palestinian media assert.
Journalist
Khaled Al-Qudah told
Jordan News, "As Arab journalists, we present the
true and accurate narrative. For example, we use 'occupation' instead of
'conflict,' 'prisoners' instead of 'captives,' and emphasize that Gaza is part
of Palestine. Western media has its agendas and biases for its interests,
committed to its editorial policy, funding sources, general principles, and red
lines."
Qudah
highlighted that Western journalism lost credibility when it adopted the
Israeli narrative. These institutions, when tested in cases that intersect with
their interests, abandon credibility and professionalism. This was most evident
in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The
problem in the Arab world he says is that it has failed to create
confrontational and competitive media against the Western media. Previously,
Arab media admired Western journalism schools, but the war on Gaza exposed many
failures.
"As Arab journalists, we present the true and accurate narrative. For example, we use 'occupation' instead of 'conflict,' 'prisoners' instead of 'captives,' and emphasize that Gaza is part of Palestine. Western media has its agendas and biases for its interests, committed to its editorial policy, funding sources, general principles, and red lines."
"It's
a complicated story, so we can't blame these institutions for lying and bias
because we gave them the opportunity to control the media space. We cannot find
an entirely neutral press; there is justified, polite bias and another
malicious bias, visible only when there is an issue that affects the funder of
that institution,” he said.
The Al-Jazeera case studyHassan
Al-Shobaki, the director of Al-Jazeera office in Amman, told
Jordan News, "In the absence of
ethical standards in journalistic coverage, bias, injustice, and bigotry
emerge. Facts are manipulated, and politics and interests take precedence.
Western newspapers did not criticize Israel, and October 7 exposed the
hypocrisy and double standards of these institutions."
Shobaki
added, "The stance of Arab journalism was positive in exposing the false
narrative, though with variations. For instance, Al-Jazeera, since its
inception 27 years ago, considers the Palestinian cause a central and just
issue. The meanings of injustice, justice, settlement, displacement, and
killing are clear in it. He emphasized that the conflict with the Israeli enemy
is a battle over narratives. Just yesterday they excluded two Al-Jazeera
journalists to prevent them from conducting interviews and receiving prisoners.
They don't want witnesses, and they don't want to see Palestinians in a state
of victory or joy."
he
stated that Al-Jazeera always seeks to expose this occupation through
television reports, documentaries, or specialized programs on the Palestinian
issue. In its coverage of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, Al-Jazeera takes an
advanced position that helps alleviate injustice against the Palestinian
people, emphasizing the role of the media.
He
pointed out “the role of activists who speak English, influencing Western
public opinion and presenting the Palestinian narrative. The double standards
followed by Western media will leave an impact on people, potentially losing
its audience, as it is implicated in the killing of innocent people. Therefore,
October 7 is a decisive moment, revealing many aspects of media and politics.
The public opinion worldwide is not entirely negative, as in the United States,
where a significant portion stood with the Palestinians.”
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