Fulbright Update:
Event explores complexity of Israel-Hamas journalism
As I embarked on my year-long Fulbright here, I anticipated talking about war and media, given that Moldova borders Ukraine on three sides. What no one could have anticipated, however, was another horrible conflict.

Media coverage of this latest war, between Israel and Hamas, was the focus of a panel discussion “The Israel - Gaza Conflict: What Journalists Covering War Should Know” organized by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) last Thursday on Zoom.

Multimedia journalist Michael Lipin, who covers international affairs as a Voice of America (VOA) bridge editor, joined me as a panelist. Lipin produces and hosts VOA's weekly podcast, Flashpoint Iran. He also has done multiple assignments in Israel, interviewing senior political and military figures about Israel-Iran tensions as well as the 2018 visits of U.S. President Donald Trump to Jerusalem.

Top-ICFJ moderator Paul Adepoju, me;
Bottom-Michael Lipin, VOA

Lipin discussed his extensive experience in the region with the 64 attendees, and the approaches he uses when reporting. His current focus is on Iran, and he used this to emphasize the  importance of offering a wider, contextual perspective about the situation in the region, given Iran’s impact and influence on Hamas and Hezbollah. Lipin also mentioned the significance of language, including the sensitive nature of the term “terrorism.” During the Q and A, we also discussed if and when we should use the word “genocide.”

I began my presentation by pointing out the many characteristics Lipin’s approach shares with peace journalism. Then, I offered peace journalism as a different way of reporting and thinking about the war. I gave an overview of peace journalism, then discussed some questions that peace journalists would ask about Israel-Hamas war coverage. These questions are:

1. Does the coverage present all victims as worthy? Are all innocent lives valued equally in storytelling? Are all those traumatized treated with empathy and sensitivity, or re-traumatized? And, are the voices of victims, including those displaced, heard?

2. Do the stories and images accurately portray suffering on all sides? Or, is the suffering shown 98% “ours” and 2% “theirs”? And, is “their” suffering sanitized (e.g. long shots of bombings, but no close ups of carnage)?

3. Is the coverage contextual? Does it explain, but not excuse, the attack by Hamas? Is the blockade mentioned? Is Hamas’ commitment to destroying Israel mentioned?

4. Are media disseminating only factual, verified information and images? Are images used authentic? Is propaganda unwittingly being circulated in mainstream news platforms and on social media?

5. Does coverage generalize, stereotype, scapegoat, and demonize “them”?

6. Is there any discussion of peace, or peaceful alternatives to war, no matter how remote they seem? Are peacemakers given a voice? Or, is peace simply mentioned in passing, and summarily dismissed?

7.  What are the consequences of the reporting? Does it make angry people angrier? Empower warmongers? Does it make peace less possible? Is it polarizing? Does it glamorize or glorify war? In sum, does it pour gasoline on the fire?

8. On social media, are journalists actively combating falsehoods about the Israel-Hamas war, no matter which side they might seem to benefit? Are they “pre-bunking” anticipated themes of disinformation?

9. Is the coverage biased? Does it simplify the situation into “good guys vs. bad guys? Are voices heard from only one side?

10. Is the coverage sensational, in both language and images? Are bloody, horrifying images used because they’re needed to tell the story, or are they used instead as click bait? Are images and storytelling emotionally exploitative?

Then, I led attendees through newspaper front pages of the initial Hamas attack, discussing whether these represent peace journalism.

I concluded my presentation by noting that in times of war, journalists are pushed to their professional and ethical limits. In these times, I think it’s valuable to step back, take a breath, and examine how we report, and the consequences of that reporting. Peace journalism provides a valuable means for that self-reflection.

During the Q and A, we were asked if we prefer calling this conflict the "Israel-Gaza war" or the "Israel-Hamas war." Both Lipin and I agreed that the latter is the best choice, given that it more accurately reflects the conflict. 

Resources:

ICJF’s page of tips for reporters covering the Israel-Hamas war

Michael Lipin’s profile page on VOA