NEWSLETTER
I’lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel
Profile Films
: I’lam works with local NGOs to develop profile films. These films allow the organization to promote its work to a broad audience, from the local community to international donors. In 2004, the Center worked with the Center for ChallengedIndividuals in Nazareth to produce a short profile of the organization.
Documentary Services
: The Production Center actively researches and documents critical events in Arab Palestinian public lifeand civil society. This year, the Center filmed some very meaningful events including Naqba and Land Day. The Center has alsooffered its services to local NGO’s, Beit Al Musica and MADA, the Arab Center for Applied Social Research. The documentarywork was provided for these groups at very low costs, and offered these groups a service they would otherwise be unable to afford.
Arab Palestinian Citizens: At Margins of Israeli Media
In the Israeli media, there is an alarming dearth of coverageon the social, cultural and political life Arab Palestiniancitizens. The limited coverage that does exist is wroughtwith bias and misinformation. One recent study found thatof all journalistic reports in Israeli newspapers, only two percent deal with issues related to the Arab Palestiniansociety in Israel. 80-90% of those reports were negative – portraying the community as a threat to the “security” of theState.This widespread problem can be attributed to the fact thatinformation on the Arab Palestinian community is garnered,almost exclusively, from so-called experts – police, securityand Orientalists.In this context, the challenge is to improve both the quantityof sources, to provide relevant information to the Hebrewmedia and to encourage journalists/editors with the Hebrewmedia to consult alternative sources.With this aim, I'lam developed a number of projectscollectively called, "Improving the Coverage of ArabPalestinians in the Hebrew media". The program aims to:
Encourage and facilitate increased coverage of issues relevant to Arab Palestinian citizens in Israel
Improve existing coverage of Arab Palestiniancitizens of Israel - promoting balanced, responsible,fair, and accurate coverage.
Raise awareness and change negative attitudesamong media practitioners from the Hebrew mediaabout the reality and situation of Arab Palestinians.In April 2004, I'lam began to offer
guided tours for journalists
and editors from the Hebrew media with an aimto raise awareness about the realities of Arab Palestiniancitizens, and to facilitate encounters and dialogue with ArabPalestinian representatives, journalists, and opinion leaders.The first tour brought together 14 journalists from differentHebrew media outlets and 3 foreign journalists for a tour through Nazareth, Reni, Ein Mahel and Nazareth Illit.I’lam also recently launched the
Weekly Newsletter
, whichattempts to bring Arab Palestinian issues to the forefront of the Israeli media. The Newsletter disseminates news storiesconcerning Arab Palestinian life to Hebrew media for inclusion in their articles and broadcasts.The media has responded well to this initiative. Since thelaunch of the newsletter in June, 17 journalists havecontacted I’lam for further information on featured stories.Miki Miron, a well-known anchorperson with Radio ReshetBet recognized the importance of this project. In March, heinvited I’lam’s Kholod Masalha to become a temporarycontributor to the weekly
Sha’at Hivra
(Society Hour)where she will be able to highlight issues of importance tothe Arab Palestinian community.
I’LAM, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel Newsletter / Issue 2
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