Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FIGHTING WORDS
HOW ARAB AND AMERICAN JOURNALISTS
CAN BREAK THROUGH TO BETTER COVERAGE
By Lisa Schnellinger and Mohannad Khatib
Produced by the International Center for Journalists
journalists in both worlds think about how they can help minimize the
misunderstandings between cultures that perpetuate conflict.
The conference and the manual were made possible by the Carnegie
Corporation of New York, the Johnson Foundation, the William and
Flora Hewlett Foundation, Thomas S. Ewing and the Saudi Committee for
the Development of International Trade.
5 Preface
9 Introduction
127 Endnotes
About the Authors
T
his manual is the product of an extraordinary gathering of American and
Arab journalists that took place in late 2005. Nearly two dozen journalists
– print, radio, television and online – spent three days at the conference, titled
“Bina’a A’-Jusour – Bridging the Gap: Misunderstandings and Misinformation in
the Arab and U.S. Media.”
The meeting was held at the Wingspread conference facility, a pastoral retreat
designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Racine, Wis., a short walk from the shores
of Lake Michigan. Wingspread is operated by the Johnson Foundation, which
makes it available to organizations like the International Center for Journalists
for “small meetings of thoughtful inquiry convened in an atmosphere of candor
and purpose.”
It would be hard to imagine that a group could be more united in “candor and
purpose” than this one. For three days, the participants – guided by modera-
tors Serge Schmemann of the International Herald Tribune and Hisham Mel-
hem of Lebanon’s An Nahar – discussed the wide and dangerous gap that
exists between the United States and Arab countries, and what role journalism
has played in maintaining or even widening the gap. More importantly, they
discussed what they can do to bridge it. How can journalists, through more ac-
curate and sensitive coverage, help reduce the misconceptions that Americans
have about the Arab world and that Arabs have about the United States? (See
page 124 for a list of participants.)
This manual is not designed simply to relay or summarize the points made at the
conference. Rather, it is meant to advance the debate by examining in greater
detail a whole range of issues – from stereotypes to religion, images to political
pressure – that were discussed in Wisconsin. Published in English and Arabic, it
will be distributed free to news media, journalists’ associations, universities and
other organizations in both parts of the world.
The conference, and this manual, would not have been possible without the
generous support of our funders, especially the primary sponsor, Carnegie Cor-
poration of New York. Carnegie’s Susan King – a highly regarded former journal-
ist in her own right – enthusiastically supported the conference and participated
in it as an observer. She also provided valuable input for this manual, which is
primarily funded by Carnegie Corporation, and which under the leadership of
FIGHTING WORDS 5
Vartan Gregorian, has focused on Islam – its growth in America and its
role in the world.
The Johnson Foundation not only made the beautiful Wingspread facili-
ties available, but it also contributed financial support. Staff members
of both the Johnson Foundation and the Wingspread facility could not
have been more accommodating, providing everything we asked for
and much that we never thought to ask for, and the participants’ evalu-
ations of the facilities and staff were unanimously positive. Special
thanks must be given to Theresa Henige Oland, director of communica-
tions at the Johnson Foundation, who worked tirelessly to make the
conference a success. We’re also grateful to Foundation President
Boyd H. Gibbons III and program assistant Linda Stengel.
Thomas S. Ewing, whose father, Jim Ewing, was one of ICFJ’s founders,
also contributed support for the conference, as did the William and Flo-
ra Hewlett Foundation. Further funding came from the Saudi Committee
for the Development of International Trade, and we’re grateful to Jamal
Khashoggi for his help in making that connection and for his support of
efforts to bring together Arab and U.S. media. The Knight International
Press Fellowship Program, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight
Foundation, contributed in myriad ways to the success of this project.
This manual was written by two seasoned journalists who were also
Wingspread participants. An American and an Arab, each of the jour-
nalists has extensive experience in both the United States and the Arab
World. Their biographies are on page 4.
Lisa Schnellinger wrote the bulk of the manual, with Mohannad Khatib
contributing chapters on “Loaded Words” and “Images,” as well as
participating in the conception and editing of the manual. Invaluable
help was given by other Wingspread participants who read chapters
and contributed advice. Olfa Gamal El Din Tantawi worked with the
authors throughout the writing of the manual, and participants and
speakers Walid Al-Saqaf, James Breckenridge, Stephen Franklin and
Kinda Kanbar also offered advice.
The manual was edited by myself and ICFJ Senior Program Director
Vjollca Shtylla, who expertly shepherded the entire project from start to
finish. Other ICFJ staff members played important roles: Marwan Sadiq
6 FIGHTING WORDS
(Bruce Dale)
Thanks also to Atef Hassan, John Smock, Ali Ahmed and Abdelhakim
Kabbaj, who either shot cover photographs or allowed themselves to be
photographed while working. Bruce Dale took the photographs from the
Wingspread conference.
This manual is not the end of an effort; it’s the start of a new one. The
discussions continue in an online forum that has now been opened to
interested parties who did not participate in Wingspread. Go to
www.ijnet.org/interchange to join in the debate. In the ”Recommenda-
tions” chapter of this manual, you’ll see what Wingspread participants
thought should now happen to keep the momentum going. They have
given us a ringing challenge, and we at the International Center for
Journalists are eager to keep working. We welcome all the help you
can offer.
Patrick Butler
Senior Vice President-Programs
International Center for Journalists
FIGHTING WORDS 7
“I found that there is a lot more that unites us than
divides us … There really is a bond that’s very
strong and very heartening. We all have many of
the same problems and the same challenges …
and we all have the same sins: stereotyping, self-
censorship, ignorance, haste.”
– Serge Schmemann, editorial page editor, International Herald Tribune
8 FIGHTING WORDS
Introduction
T
he setting in Racine, Wisconsin, was peaceful and rural, but
the conference at the Wingspread center had an ambitious and
worldly agenda, as its title announced: “Bina’a A’-Jusour – Bridging
the Gap: Misunderstandings and Misinformation in the Arab and U.S.
Media.”
Yet there were also points of pride: Arab journalists showed clips
with footage that any journalist would envy, obtained despite
extreme danger. And Americans noted that substantial efforts have
FIGHTING WORDS 9
been made, particularly since Sept. 11, 2001, to educate themselves and
the public about Islam and other issues.
10 FIGHTING WORDS
Americans tended to dominate in many of the discussions. (The ses-
sions were taped, and a tabulation afterward showed that the Ameri-
cans overall spoke twice as often as their Arab colleagues, and often
spoke twice as long.) In the wrap-up session, Schmemann apologized
for the American side: “In gatherings like these there’s a tendency to be
patronizing. We feel that we come from a profound and grand tradition
and we get a little pedantic sometimes.” But, he added, “If we do that,
it’s with the best of intentions.”
But there were other dynamics at work, too. One was that the American
journalists mostly viewed themselves as more experienced and more
knowledgeable about the standards of the profession. In turn, some
Arab journalists felt that the quality of their work was underestimated
because most of the Americans didn’t know Arabic, and that Americans
didn’t realize the difficulties Arab journalists face.
(Bruce Dale)
FIGHTING WORDS 11
Another dynamic was, of course, cultural differences. American cul-
ture emphasizes the individual and puts the highest value on what an
individual does. Arab culture (as well as many others around the world)
places a higher value on the group identity.
Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program for the Center for
Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said afterward he was not
surprised that the Americans spoke more than the Arabs: “We are
raised from a young age to think everyone’s individual views are im-
portant. They have often been raised with the instruction that the most
important thing they can do is indicate solidarity with their group. The
U.S. university model of touchy-feely seminars is different from the rote
memorization they have often known.
“At core, as well, is Arabs’ greater willingness to sit and listen to some-
one in authority talk. It is something that is often inculcated at an early
age. Americans quickly complain if they have to listen to others talk at
length. U.S.-educated Arabs are certainly more open to active seminar
participation, but it still takes more effort to overcome many years of
experience.”
There was general agreement that the most valuable part of the confer-
ence was the one-on-one interaction – an enjoyable as well as educa-
tional way to build trust. And that, the participants said, is the best way
to start bridging any gap.
Walid Al-Saqaf, senior writer for the Yemen Times, wrote in his evalua-
tion of the conference: “We have a long way to go. There are many mis-
conceptions in the Arab-Western relations in the media. But we’re on
the right path. I realized that there are many common grounds between
reporters. I saw the potential in harnessing this for the better of us all.”
12 FIGHTING WORDS
energy and devotion of the
participants: “I leave here more
upbeat than when I came in.”
FIGHTING WORDS 13
American and Arab editors and reporters for several days of meetings.
As with Wingspread, the journalists said they found they have a great
deal in common, and wanted to have a means to continue the exchange
of ideas and a healthy debate.
In the United Arab Emirates, the annual Arab and World Media Forum
for 2005 was expanded
to include more than
1,000 participants. At
the December gather-
ing in Dubai, panelists
from multiple coun-
tries debated news
judgment, standards,
political Islam and cur-
(Bruce Dale)
rent events.
In addition to their
enthusiasm for more Participants, including Matt Dolan of the Baltimore Sun
(above), shared and encouraged “best practices” and good
conferences, par-
examples throughout the conference.
ticipants from all the
gatherings came up with similar recommendations in many areas. An
overview of these recommendations is summarized in the next chapter.
In the subsequent chapters, we elaborate on the issues, the discus-
sions and the recommendations about the key topics.
We offer this as a practical guide for journalists, with advice from col-
leagues on how to think about and handle coverage of important events
and trends. Throughout, we have tried to maintain a tone of shared
responsibility and collegial desire to improve, which reflects the spirit
of the Wingspread conference. We believe that our faults are not as
great as our ability to overcome them – especially if we work together
through the common ground of our profession.
14 FIGHTING WORDS
“There are a lot of journalists who would say …
‘Rigorously doing my job is what being patriotic is
all about, because it’s really adhering to the values
upon which the country was built: democracy, free
speech, free expression. The press is a vibrant
part of that democracy, and a voice for people, and
a check and balance on power.’”
– Eileen O’Connor, former ICFJ president and CNN foreign correspondent
FIGHTING WORDS 15
Chapter 1 Recommendations
16 FIGHTING WORDS
tographer’s technique to make our stories To get the information that our audiences
fuller, richer and consequently more ac- need, we have to question people who
curate. [See Chapter 5: Interest] claim to have authority in matters of reli-
gion. That can be scary, especially when
Educate ourselves about culture and
questioning is seen as challenging the
religion and how it affects our societies.
representatives of God. But even in places
Participants at Wingspread greatly where it’s a crime to insult Islam, we can
emphasized the need for self-education ask neutral, non-confrontational questions
about culture and religion. The depth of with respect, just as we would question
ignorance about religion, in particular – of an expert in any field. [See Chapter 8:
journalists worldwide, about their own Religion]
nation’s religions as well as less familiar
Make the effort to include a range of
ones – was a point of strong agreement.
voices, especially in polarized issues such
We can educate ourselves on the Inter- as suicide bombings and religion.
net, in the classroom and in discussions
Not all Palestinians support suicide bomb-
with others. [See Chapter 8: Religion] For
ings. Not all American soldiers in Iraq sup-
Americans, since it’s easier to travel, it’s
port the war. Not all Islamic scholars are
best to see and understand diverse places
preaching violent jihad or issuing fatwas
firsthand. But perhaps most important is
against music festivals.
that we have an attitude of learning, a
humility about what we don’t know and a We owe it to our audiences to show them
willingness to be open to another way of the range of opinions and viewpoints, to
living and perceiving. listen to voices that speak more quietly, to
find ideas that are not the extreme as well
Hold religious leaders accountable
as ideas that are not the mainstream. [See
for their statements and opinions, and
Chapter 8: Religion and Chapter 6: Conflict]
separate religion from politics.
Be aware of and honest about our
In discussions about terrorism, war and
own biases in coverage, so that we can
ethnic conflicts, participants agreed that it
watch out and, when possible, correct
is essential to hold all actors accountable
them.
as political leaders when they use religion
for political goals. Journalists are obliged We have to know what our biases are
to lift the curtain of religion that protects and why we see things the way we do. To
political action from scrutiny – particularly know yourself is to understand better how
when religion is used to promote or con- your perceptions are distorted.
done violence. Our job is to inform.
In turn, this helps you understand how
FIGHTING WORDS 17
Chapter 1
other people think and see things. That is Many journalists subscribe to a macho
a valuable skill for a reporter to have. [See tribal culture, one that values being fast-
Chapter 6: Conflict and Chapter 9: Stan- est, toughest and hardest. We assume that
dards] soft news is boring and that the stories we
“should” do are dull as dirt.
If you believe that your audience deserves
the best information available, then you Sometimes they are. More often it’s a
have to remove any obstacles to getting result of malnourished reporting or writing.
that information – including your own Good journalism is hard work, but it is our
biases. We have to make an extra effort to job to make important stories interesting to
stop ourselves from interfering with reality, our audience. [See Chapter 5: Interest]
but that’s what our job is. This means inter-
Remember that “Everybody Knows”
viewing sources that you strongly dis-
is not the name of a person. Information
agree with, including a range of views in
has to come from reliable sources.
your story and keeping your own opinions
out of it. Accuracy, probably the top universal goal
of professional journalists, requires that
Understand why stereotyping and
we don’t assume something is general
negative thinking happens.
knowledge – or that because we “know”
Many journalists are disturbed by how our audience is confident in the informa-
easily stereotypes can creep into our tion. We have to also tell them how we got
coverage or how negative we tend to be. the information, and why that source is
It may comfort you to know that we’re reliable.
actually hardwired to stereotype groups
Take the time to go through your stories or
of people and to put more credibility on
scripts, line by line, and ask yourself: Ex-
negative information.
actly how do I know this? Why should the
It has to do with our primal instinct to reader or viewer believe this? Could there
survive,and our attentiveness to threats. be a dispute about whether this is true?
When we understand our physiology, we If so, have I presented another source’s
can better evaluate how to balance our perspective? [See Chapter 9: Standards]
coverage. [See Chapter 2: Stereotypes]
What we can do within our
Make important stories interesting:
newsrooms
connect with the audience by showing the
story’s relevance; humanizing the groups Agree on our mission, professional
of people involved; and presenting good standards and ethics in reporting and writ-
news, profiles and features about culture. ing and use them consistently.
18 FIGHTING WORDS
Recommendations
Media outlets will have different missions, how we do what we do – is a part of trust
depending on their audience, their cul- and credibility. We can do that through our
ture, and the restrictions that limit them. Web sites, through community forums, in
But in order to serve our own audience the pages of our publications and on pro-
– whether local or international – we must motional airtime. [See Chapter 3: Loaded
think about how best to serve them, and Words]
be clear about our goals. [See Chapter 9:
Guard against the dehumanizing of
Standards]
victims that leads to moral disengagement
Set and keep guidelines for images, and justification for more violence.
and review these guidelines periodically.
In genocides and other violence that is
Community standards of what is in good based on stereotypes, the victims are de-
taste and what is offensive change over humanized as part of a process of “moral
time. We should set guidelines for use of disengagement.” If we in the media want
images – photographs, videos, illustrations to alert our audience to such violence, part
and cartoons – and review them from time of our role is also to engage the reader
to time. [See Chapter 4: Images] or viewer. Some in our audience will be
moved to act. But at the very least, we can
Define loaded words and set poli-
show them that the victims are human be-
cies for using them.
ings. [See Chapter 6: Conflict]
Some words may be too emotionally
Resist “group think” and “herd men-
loaded to ever be used by the media. Other
tality” that leads to insufficient or sensa-
words have to be handled with care, like
tional coverage. Do not underestimate our
explosive chemicals. And some words
audience in our news judgment.
can be used if we define them clearly and
use them consistently. Examples include Among the many kinds of pressure that
terrorism, jihad and crusade. [See Chapter journalists fall under, the “group think” of
3: Loaded Words] As participants at the following what other media outlets are do-
Aspen Institute’s most recent forum con- ing is one that we can most easily resist.
cluded, we should report on what people Audiences are different; The New York
do – not what they are. Times’ audience is not the same as that of
The Seattle Times or the Chillicothe [Ohio]
Explain to our audiences what we
Times or The [New Orleans] Times-Pica-
are doing and why.
yune. Arabs in Egypt are not necessarily
As we develop standards and policies, we interested in the same things as Saudis
have to let the audience know what we’re or Yemenis, and even within Cairo, the
doing. Transparency – letting them see audience for Al-Ahram is very different
FIGHTING WORDS 19
Chapter 1
from the audience for Al-Masry Al-Youm. newsroom does not automatically do a
The transnational audience for Al Jazeera better job of covering the news, a homog-
or CNN wants and needs a great range of enous newsroom that is a warped reflec-
coverage. So, airing sensational footage tion of society will have a harder time
or carrying an inflammatory story “be- understanding and reaching its audience.
cause the competition has it” is not a good [See Chapter 8: Religion]
enough reason. [See Chapter 7: Pressure]
Understand and explain to our
Require safety training, equipment audiences some possible answers to the
and insurance for all war-zone or conflict rhetorical “Why do they hate us?”
reporters.
Participants in a small group session on
As of May 2006, 92 journalists and media war coverage and patriotism agreed that
support workers have been killed in Iraq it was important for Americans to confront
in the last three years alone, according to the issues that surround Arab objections.
the Committee to Protect Journalists. The They summarized the issues as covering
majority were Iraqis. Many of those who four areas:
died were freelancers, who had no safety
• Palestine
training in how to work in a war environ-
• the forces of globalization that contrib-
ment. Some had no safety equipment or
ute to global hegemony of the U.S.
insurance. Responsible news organiza-
• past U.S. support for authoritarian
tions should not hire a freelancer or send
governments in the Arab world
staff to work in a conflict zone unprepared.
• spreading democracy through a double
News organizations and nonprofit media
standard, as in Iraq – “having a ballot
associations should demand investigations
box on one street, and Abu Ghraib
into the killing of journalists by military
down the block.”
forces. [See Chapter 6: Conflict]
20 FIGHTING WORDS
Recommendations
American voices and perspectives. The helping to publish online what would be
fear and anger that Americans feel can dangerous to publish or censored in the
help Arab readers and listeners better un- journalists’ home countries.
derstand the perceptions that affect how
Arab reporters can often get interviews
the United States operates in the world.
and footage that Western reporters can’t,
Soliciting a wide diversity of American
or that would be extremely dangerous for
voices can combat the myths.
Western reporters to get. Articles explain-
Enhance the diversity of how we ing the complexities of the United States
cover culture, even if we’re news report- are very hard for Arab journalists to report
ers. – they often can’t even get a visa to go
there.
Too often, we see each other in terms of
conflict – especially in how the American Several journalists at Wingspread wanted
media covers the Arab world. And Ameri- to help arrange exchanges of footage or
can culture is too often misperceived as print stories between stations and publica-
being simply Hollywood films and hip-hop tions. Especially in op-ed pages, but also
music, when there is much more to the in news and features, these exchanges
diversity of American culture. Some Arab could bring interesting and provocative
visitors to the United States, for example, material to audiences. And often all it
have said that they are surprised at how takes is the personal introduction.
religious the average American is. [See
“I’d like to see some creative thinking
Chapter 2: Stereotypes]
about how big companies can work with
Abu Aqleh said she intends to try to each other,” said Stephen Franklin of the
“persuade people around me, with my Chicago Tribune. “My newspaper has 26
work and stories, that it’s not a sin to open TV stations, maybe there’s a place … to do
up to the West. And personally I would an exchange of stories.”
like to read more about American media
Smaller newspapers – where the
concerns and interests, in a way that I can
mainstream populace is perhaps furthest
understand better how the Western world
away from the reality of “the other side”
is regarding us.” [See Chapter 5: Interest]
– are important venues for features that
What we can do in cooperation tell a different story.
with colleagues
In small towns of America, news about
Create a forum for publishing alter- Palestine or Iraq seems even further away
native viewpoints – by setting up exchang- than it does from cosmopolitan cities like
es of footage and written articles between New York or Los Angeles. Yet that makes
stations and publications, but also by it all the more important for people who
FIGHTING WORDS 21
Chapter 1
live there to get news about real people ing our countries, to help them get below
to whom they can relate. The reporters in the surface.
these towns also may need an education
A foreign correspondent who has to
– and something as simple as covering
parachute in to cover a news event might
an Arabic-language class at the local
appreciate being led behind the scenes
high school, or a traditional wedding of
to meet ordinary families or to interview
Jordanians, may bridge a gap in a home-
dissident voices. Newsrooms can offer ac-
town way.
cess to their libraries or source databases.
For Arab countries, the alternative point For longer-term visitors, a roundtable
of view is offered in independent newspa- discussion with local journalists is very
pers and opposition publications, which educational. [See Chapter 6: Conflict]
tend to be smaller, or online publications,
Hold ourselves accountable through
despite a low percentage of Internet us-
more monitoring of the media’s adherence
ers. These outlets may have small circula-
to professional standards and a nonparti-
tions, but they can have a profound impact
san international committee of ethics.
when they arouse their audiences through
thought-provoking coverage. The reputation of journalism has fallen to
such a low status that it needs an interna-
Olfa Gamal El Din Tantawi, director and
tional body to clean it up, argues Mirette
producer of Egypt Satellite Channels,
Mabrouk of IBA Media in Cairo. “An
makes an argument for advocacy and
ethics/accountability committee would
opinion in these smaller publications: “It is
be a nonpartisan international tool,” she
OK to be critical and opinionated as long
recommended, after the Aspen Institute’s
as you go ahead and admit that this is your
second Arab-U.S. Media Forum gathering.
view. In our world and in Egypt we have
these little wonderful publications that call “Such a body composed of Arab and U.S.
themselves ‘opposition journals.’ They are journalists might wield real power be-
accurate in relating the news or cover- cause policymakers (and media owners)
ing an event but certainly not balanced in realize that the media are plugged in to
their criticism of corruption or government average voters. That connection trans-
politics. If for any reason we condemn this lates into power that, in turn, translates
style of journalism, we would in our world into leverage for the ethics body to do its
be the losers because this is a wonderful job – to wit, ensuring balanced, culturally
example of freedom of expression that relevant and responsible reporting.”
needs to be empowered, not silenced.”
Support each other to resist self-
Offer assistance to colleagues visit- censorship and to be brave in the face of
obstacles.
22 FIGHTING WORDS
Recommendations
At gatherings like the Wingspread confer- Fight for better access to informa-
ence, journalists might feel a bit braver, tion for the entire profession, and help
and a bit more open, when encouraged by our colleagues when they face obstacles
the group’s support. That kind of support – particularly regarding oppressive media
has to continue over time and distance in laws.
order to really make a difference in how
When we fight for ourselves, we’re fight-
we do our jobs day to day.
ing for the whole profession – and vice
It’s easy for us to forget our colleagues on versa. This especially applies to press
the other side of the country – let alone laws and access to information. [See
on the other side of the world. But one of Chapter 7: Pressure]
the most important functions of that tribe
Most Arab journalists have to work under
called journalists is to take care of each
the threat of laws that make nearly any
other – wherever we are.
offense a crime – and the offenses can be
Share and encourage “best prac- as vague as “insulting a public official.”
tices” and good examples. Americans can’t change those laws – but
they can support and help build capacity
Competition leads us to bash what other
in the Arab organizations that are working
media outlets are doing. But when any
to change those laws. [See Appendix A:
one outlet does a poor job, the media as a
Resources]
whole suffers.
Access to information is important to all
We don’t need to wait for the annual
of us, and we have to keep raising that
awards ceremonies to pat each other
standard. If we don’t have access to infor-
on the back. When a colleague writes a
mation, we can’t do our jobs. Freedom of
particularly insightful news story, or takes
information should apply to all journalists
the time and effort to debunk a stereo-
– from Arabs covering how ruling families
type – write them an e-mail, give them a
spend oil revenues, to Americans covering
phone call and send the article to your
how public funds for international assis-
colleagues. There are many Web sites
tance are spent overseas.
from professional organizations that give
examples of best practices and journalis- Set up a Web site and other means
tic standards. We may also find it humbling for online sharing of information, ideas,
and educational to read the blogs and references, a glossary of terms, contacts,
sites that offer fair criticism of the media style guides and examples of good work.
and suggestions on correcting problems.
Good news! This recommendation is
[See Appendix A: Resources]
partially completed already. The Interna-
FIGHTING WORDS 23
Chapter 1
tional Center for Journalists has created In Arab countries, small independent
a separate page on its journalism web media have a special struggle – having to
site, IJNet (at www.ijnet.org/interchange), compete against outlets that are subsi-
specifically for Arab-U.S. coverage and dized by the government or by wealthy
the topics discussed at Wingspread. individuals. In addition, freelance journal-
ists and reporters who want to work inde-
What we can do through
pendently have great difficulty supporting
organizations
themselves financially. [See Chapter 7:
More frequent gatherings of journal- Pressure]
ists of different cultures.
Nonprofits that specifically encourage
Many of the other recommendations rest independent journalists are important, and
upon this foundation of personal contact journalists in all countries can support
that builds communication and trust. The them.
experiences of professional journalists
Work together across borders in
can forge a very close bond that tran-
partnerships that help build local capacity.
scends our differences and helps us to
learn about each other’s cultures. “You can provide us with fish – but teach
us how to fish,” said Walid Al-Saqaf of the
The amounts of time and money needed to
Yemen Times. “Realize that [the] next gen-
arrange conferences or informal gather-
eration of the Arab world will change the
ings are an investment that can have
face of the planet in many ways.” Things
long-term payoffs – for individuals, for
are moving in Arab media organizations,
their publications and stations, for the
but there’s a lack of institutional capacity,
profession as a whole, and ultimately for
he pointed out.
our nations.
International NGOs should reach out to
In planning such meetings, the organizers
local associations to find out what they
need to take care to give equal roles to
need, rather than coming in with a set
Arabs and Americans, and to allow for as
agenda. It’s better to support local organi-
much time in small or informal sessions as
zations than to establish competing orga-
possible. That will maximize the benefits
nizations directed from abroad, because
and give everyone a chance to be heard.
the local organizations know the needs
[See Introduction]
and can be more effective and efficient.
Support independent media, both
Start projects that bring colleagues
individuals and organizations – including
from different countries to work together
training in business management.
on stories for publication or broadcast.
24 FIGHTING WORDS
Recommendations
FIGHTING WORDS 25
Chapter 2 Stereotypes
I
n our race to meet deadlines and lim terrorist” and “American imperialist”
squeeze information into limited column – so often that we start to see generaliza-
inches or air time, journalists summarize tion as fact.
and simplify. This makes us especially
Sometimes, too, we are ignorant our-
prone to use examples and descriptions in
selves, and don’t even realize that we are
a way that leans on – or fortifies – stereo-
fueling a myth or misconception. In other
types. And we see it everywhere – “Mus-
situations, we don’t take the time to verify
26 FIGHTING WORDS
facts, and instead rely on what “everybody At the Wingspread conference, journal-
knows,” or on our own experience and ists were intrigued by the insights from
opinion. Stanford psychology professor James
Breckenridge, who gave an overview of
Arab and U.S. journalists at Wingspread
the ways that the brain’s normal function
discussed stereotypes throughout the
contributes to negative stereotyping.
conference. They acknowledged that
stereotypes and myths can have a basis in Every time something new happens,
reality – that’s why they are powerful and Breckenridge explained, there is part of
enduring. your brain that is automatically assigning a
value of positive or negative to the event.
It’s also easier to write about stereotypes
The assessment of “Is it a threat or help?”
than the truth – it is less work to simplify
is beyond your control. As long as we are
and judge than to do the work of reporting
conscious, this monitoring process is go-
to show a range of realities.
ing on. The perceived negative quality or
But the conference participants agreed threat doesn’t have to be real – the brain
that a responsible journalist makes the treats real and imagined threats the same.
effort to portray the world as it really is, In other words, the brain’s special atten-
rather than as a stereotypical caricature. tion to the negative or threatening aspect
of situations applies to both real world
So what is our defense against oversim-
observations and mediated experiences,
plifying?
such as movies and news broadcasts.
FIGHTING WORDS 27
Chapter 2
28 FIGHTING WORDS
Stereotypes
stereotypes, Breckenridge said. “The regimes and Israel is the only true
automatic vigilance is hard-wired, the democracy in the region.
tendency for us to find negative informa- • Terrorist is interchangeable with Is-
tion more credible is probably hard-wired. lamist.
But the rest of the brain doesn’t shut off… • Islam makes women powerless and
We are not totally determined by our past, oppressed.
we can still think and feel and work things • The priority for Arabs is to destroy
out. It makes the hill steeper but it doesn’t Israel.
make it insurmountable.” • Arabs are rich, lazy people who always
complain of being Israel’s victims.
Once we understand the source of stereo-
typing and the interest in bad news, we
Arab stereotypes of Americans:
can correct it. We don’t have to go along
with our reflexive, survivalist responses. • Americans are immoral oppressors.
We can choose to overrule them, and give • America is a godless place.
our audiences a fuller picture of the world. • American women are sluts and Ameri-
can teenagers are on drugs.
It’s called debiasing, Breckenridge said:
• Americans are fat consumers who
“Keep showing the other side, exposing
don’t know a thing about the rest of the
people to other things, and the stereotypes
world.
can fall apart.”
• All Jews are power-mongers and
America (and its media) is run by Jews.
Awareness
• Americans support everything Israel
To reduce stereotyping in journalism, we does and they are against all Muslim
first have to know what the stereotypes countries.
are. • CNN is a U.S. government-controlled
TV network.
Wingspread participants came up with a
• America’s foreign policy is meant to
list of common myths and stereotypes that
eradicate Islam and wipe out Muslims.
seep into media coverage.
FIGHTING WORDS 29
Chapter 2
from movies, music and other fiction. sions, giving ‘the other side of the story’
There also may be specific examples that would enrage and anger some viewers,
place an individual within the stereotype who think that the channel needs to be
– an American who thinks all foreign coun- sympathetic towards the Arab/Muslim
tries are dangerous, a Muslim who thinks world rather than neutral… The [biased]
women shouldn’t work outside the home. approach makes stories more ‘interesting’
to viewers in the Arab world, giving it an
But, that doesn’t mean the generalized
edge.”
statement is itself a fact. One example
does not make a case. The main defense against stereotypes is
not to be “politically correct” or to pander
At the same time, we want to report truth-
to noisy or powerful groups. Journalists
fully but fairly when the facts do play into
at Wingspread agreed that we all need to
the stereotypes.
do more to educate ourselves in general,
Says one U.S. newspaper editor who and to apply professional standards of ac-
asked not to be identified: “I really get curacy and fairness about specifics.
tired of this idea that ‘reducing bias’
should be merely a matter of saying nice Educate yourself
things about Islam. The idea seems to be
Journalists are perpetual students – we
that if journalists are reporting or com-
learn about something new every time we
menting negatively on this or that aspect
do a story. When we’re assigned to a new
of Islam, the criticism and negativity is a
beat, we have to hit the books and educate
prima facie sign of bias.
ourselves in depth about the topic. We do
“Here at my paper, I am personally aware this over and over again.
of stories I’ve been involved in, in which
The importance of the relations between
the newsroom refused to report critically
the United States and the Middle East
on worrisome things the local mosques
should inspire all of us to learn more about
were doing, because they thought to do so
each other. [See Chapter 8: Religion]
might stoke anti-Muslim bias.”
For example, it’s a surprisingly common
Sometimes in Arab media, the negative
misperception in the United States that
coverage of American actions and policy
all Muslims are Arabs, and all Arabs are
in the Middle East is a reaction to years of
Muslims.
domination by the West. Walid Al-Saqaf
of the Yemen Times says: “We continue You might scoff and say, “Well of course
to face the dilemma of gaining the trust I know that this is not true.” But by using
of viewers/readers but at the same time these terms interchangeably – using “the
being fair and objective. On many occa- Islamic world” to refer to Muslims in the
30 FIGHTING WORDS
Stereotypes
Middle East, or by quoting only Arabs in the norm. It is to integrate them into our
a story about Islam – we perpetuate that normal coverage.
ignorance.
The same could be said for how American
Here are some facts to inspire self-educa- journalists cover Christians, Muslims and
tion about Muslims. (Arab journalists can all other religions in their own country.
use these facts, too, when reporting on
Serge Schmemann, editorial page editor of
Islam.)
the International Herald Tribune, acknowl-
• Less than one quarter of Muslims are edges that American journalists haven’t
Arabs. done a good job of covering religion at
• Of the seven countries with the largest home or abroad. The Western media
Muslim populations, only one, Egypt, is “simply does not appreciate the power of
Arab. religion,” he said. “It’s not covered as a
• There are more Muslims in China than power in people’s lives. [We] have not fully
in Iraq and more than twice as many appreciated what’s happening in our own
in India as in Egypt, the most populous country, it’s not something we under-
Arab country. stand.”
• There are at least 45 countries that
At the same time, Arab journalists admit
have a majority Muslim population, and
they know surprisingly little about the role
at least 70 countries with populations of
that religion plays in the United States.
more than 10 percent Muslims.
Maybe that’s part of the reason that the
stereotype “America is a godless country”
Although the majority of Arabs are Mus-
has persisted.
lims, there is an average of at least 10
percent Christians throughout the region According to a Gallup opinion survey,
of Arabic-speaking countries. In particular, 88 percent of Americans believe in God
Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine – even though some of them do not belong
and Syria have between 5 and 20 percent to any organized religion. According to
Christian populations. census data and surveys, only 10 percent
of the U.S. population says “none” when
If we cover only the Muslims in those
asked about their religion.
countries, we are ignoring a significant
part of the population. But that doesn’t Approximately 75 percent of the U.S. popu-
mean that we should write only about con- lation is Christian, and Jews and Muslims
flicts between Christians and Muslims, or make up approximately 2-3 percent of the
write one story every Christmas featuring American population (about 6 million to 7
the community of Christians. The idea is million people). About 10 percent of Ameri-
not to highlight Christians as being outside cans indicate they follow “other religions.”
FIGHTING WORDS 31
Chapter 2
Many conservative Christians would not to bridge the gap – like Safaa Zarzour, the
accept Catholics or other denominations former principal at Universal School in
as Christian because they believe that a Bridgeview, Ill.
person must be “born again” in order to be
Zarzour said of his students, “We teach
a true Christian. In addition, some denomi-
them what Islam stands for as a religion,
nations believe that theirs is the only true
the way… the average Muslim around the
Christian faith.
world practices it. We show them, within
Hisham Melhem, who has lived in the the American society, those beautiful
United States for about 30 years and things that are at the heart of Islam and …
covers the country for the Lebanese daily how there is no contradiction in essence.
An Nahar, says, “When I tell Arabs that I see more Islamic values in this country
of all the democracies, [America] is the than I see in some of the so-called Islamic
most religious, they are shocked. To them countries. You know, at the heart of it is
it’s a soulless country, it’s a materialistic justice and fairness and the rule of law
country, it’s a hedonistic country.” and equality before the law and those
things.”
Melhem has tried to combat that stereo-
type by going out into the ordinary com-
Don’t Trust – Verify
munities of the U.S. – but sometimes his
editors aren’t interested. He describes a An important part of being accurate means
common problem among journalists: “We to verify the information you use. We
don’t do a good job of covering America don’t assume that something is true just
– we cover Washington, we don’t go because one person said it, or because it’s
beyond Washington.” That syndrome of a widespread and oft-repeated rumor. This
focusing only on the capital, or the big cit- applies to sweeping generalizations that
ies, is a serious distortion that journalists support stereotypes, too.
can fall prey to.
As journalists we need to take a careful,
Roaming far and wide – experiencing disciplined view of what the facts are.
the reality of a place and its people on “You have to examine your own knowl-
the ground – does a lot to rid reporters of edge, and figure out what you really know
stereotypes and biases, foreign corre- and how you know it,” says veteran for-
spondents agree. eign correspondent and journalism trainer
Arnold Isaacs. “Which of course leads to
In a documentary series about Islam, PBS
a more disciplined understanding of what
traveled to a half dozen countries and
you don’t know, as well.”
spoke to ordinary Muslims. In the U.S.,
they interviewed people who were trying Isaacs always teaches a quote from
32 FIGHTING WORDS
Stereotypes
Confucius: “‘To know a thing and know 2002.1 “But freedom of exchanging the
that you know it, and not know a thing absolute truth, sweet or bitter, with us or
and know that you do not know it – that is against us. Truth can’t be fractured, be-
knowledge.’ It’s the best rule for journalists cause half of the truth is an absolute lie.”
I know of,” he says.
The Project for Excellence in Journalism, a
This involves analyzing what’s in your research and training institute that is part
notebook and in your head, and then of Columbia University’s Graduate School
identifying and separating fact, firsthand of Journalism, attempted to find the essen-
knowledge, secondhand information, as- tials of journalism by studying the profes-
sumption and “common knowledge.” sion and interviewing working journalists.
Among the nine principles of journalism
Once we are clear about how we are
that this study featured, one is especially
thinking, we may also have a better idea
applicable to stereotypes: “[Journalism’s]
how others think.
essence is a discipline of verification.”
For Arab journalists, support of the na-
That discipline involves careful examina-
tion and the causes of Arab people can
tion of every sentence in a story. Ask
at times become the highest loyalty. But
yourself: How do I know this? How can I
accuracy has long been held a value as
be sure it is true?
well. According to the 2004 Code of Ethics
of the Federation of Arab Journalists, “The The Project’s Web site describes this dis-
pursuit of the foremost duty of the journal- cipline as “the same principle that governs
ist … is to seek the truth, confirm its ac- scientific method: explain how you learned
curacy, bear the responsibility of the true something and why you believe it – so the
mission of the media and faithfully uphold audience can do the same.
the dignity and integrity of his profession
“In science, the reliability of an ex-
in accordance with the Arab Journalistic
periment, or its objectivity, is defined by
Charter of Honour, the rule of his profes-
whether someone else could replicate the
sional conscience and the customs and
experiment. In journalism, only by explain-
ethics of sound journalism.”
ing how we know what we know can we
“Facts only are the basic ammunition approximate this idea of people being
to a free and effective media; freedom able, if they were of a mind to, to repli-
must come first, not the freedom of false cate the reporting. This is what is meant
accusations or hopes,” says Mohammad by objectivity of method in science, or in
Jabir Al-Anssari, a Bahraini writer and journalism.”
intellectual, in an article published in the
Journalists make mistakes when they as-
Qatar-based Al-Sharq on November 21,
FIGHTING WORDS 33
Chapter 2
sume they understand more than they do. ered factual and accurate by both sides?
“Journalists should not only be skeptical Facts are more useful than labels, because
of what they see and hear, but also of their they convey information.
ability to know what it really means,” the
As Poynter Institute faculty member Keith
Project’s Web site says. “In other words,
M. Woods notes, it is also the responsibil-
journalists need to recognize their own fal-
ity of the reporter to challenge sources
libility, the limitations of their knowledge.
who make generalizations: “Demand more
… They should acknowledge to them-
from the people who give vague, meaning-
selves what they are unsure of, or only
less descriptions, just as you do whenever
think they understand – and then check it
a politician gives vague or meaningless in-
out.” 2
formation. Ask, ‘What do you mean?’ when
The Al Jazeera code of ethics subscribes someone speaks in euphemisms, just as
to the same principles: you do when doctors or rocket scientists
lapse into jargon. ... Say what you mean
“Adhere to the journalistic values of hon-
and say it clearly.”
esty, courage, fairness, balance, indepen-
dence, credibility and diversity, giving no The basics of good journalism are all
priority to commercial or political consid- useful in eliminating stereotype and bias
erations over professional ones.” from reporting, Woods explains: accuracy,
precision, context, relevance, fairness,
“Endeavour to get to the truth and declare
comprehensiveness, independence, giving
it in our dispatches, programmes and
voice to the voiceless, holding the power-
news bulletins unequivocally in a manner
ful accountable, informing, educating, tak-
which leaves no doubt about its validity
ing people where they can’t or won’t go.
and accuracy.”
“The craft of reporting and writing is at
Pin Down the Details its best,” Woods says, “when stories are
rich in vibrant details, meaningful quotes
Another part of accuracy is detail – the
and sound bites, strong active verbs,
specific information that is more accurate
spare, purposeful adjectives, three-dimen-
than general statements.
sional characters, clear sentences, logical
Isn’t it more accurate, and fair, to say that transitions, a sense of place, surprising,
Hamas is “known by Israelis for terror but thought-provoking twists. In those ways
by Palestinians for charity” [as The New and more, reporting on race and ethnicity
York Times did] than to refer to it as “the is the same as any other storytelling.”4
Islamic terrorist group Hamas”?3 Isn’t the
Nasir Al-Sharouf of the Arabic Service of
first a description that would be consid-
34 FIGHTING WORDS
Stereotypes
FIGHTING WORDS 35
Chapter 3 Loaded Words
T
he words journalists choose to tell their The term “loaded language” is often used
stories play an important role in defin- to describe spin, euphemisms and double-
ing messages, and in shaping opinions and speak. Such language is used in politics
perspectives. Almost always, the words to serve the purpose of propaganda. As
we select reflect a certain judgment, par- journalists, we can’t stop politicians or ac-
ticularly when these words are “loaded.” tivists from using such terms. But we can
decide whether or how we will use such
Words are described as “loaded” when
terms ourselves – and then how we can
they carry meaning beyond their strict
explain our decisions to our audiences.
definition. According to the online ency-
clopedia Wikipedia, loaded words evoke As participants at the Aspen Institute’s
strongly positive or negative reactions, most recent forum concluded, we should
and calling someone’s words “loaded” report on what people do – not what they
implies an “accusation of demagoguery or are.
of pandering to the audience.” 1
36 FIGHTING WORDS
The “T” word cially by hurting or killing innocent people.
Words such as “terrorist,” “insurgent,” While some journalists believe that the
“torture” and “fundamentalist” are being best rule of thumb regarding these words
used all over print and broadcast me- is simply to avoid using them whenever
dia, often repeated as easy clichés and possible, a breakout group of Arabs and
stereotypes. But each of these terms, and Americans at Wingspread suggested that
many others like them, carry loaded con- these and other “loaded” words can be
notations used strategically by politicians, used if they are:
journalists and ordinary citizens alike.
1) Defined specifically;
Editors and writers struggle daily to find 2) Used consistently;
the best language or to avoid the use of 3) Used only when they apply;
certain terms, and almost all news organi- 4) Not used as a substitute for facts.
zations have developed some guidelines
regulating the use of particular terms. At The group attempted to come up with a
Wingspread, participants debated whether valid definition of “terrorism” that can be
there can be universal standards for those used universally. Its choice: “An act of vio-
loaded words, especially the most relevant lence against civilians intended to make
to this discussion – “terrorist” and “terror- society at large afraid and to achieve a
ism” (and their Arabic equivalents). specific goal.”
FIGHTING WORDS 37
Chapter 3
38 FIGHTING WORDS
Loaded Words
FIGHTING WORDS 39
Chapter 3
40 FIGHTING WORDS
Loaded Words
FIGHTING WORDS 41
Chapter 3
is being built. Most Western media outlets people and issues they cover. Bad inten-
appear to have settled on the phrase tions may not always lie behind distorted
“separation barrier” in describing the reporting, whether in the West or in the
construction. It casts neither a positive Arab and Muslim world. This can often be
nor negative light on either side and simply the result of a lack of familiarity, insensi-
conveys what is being built on the land. tivity or simply ignorance on the part of
Describing the controversy surrounding reporters.
the structure helps to keep “separation
In covering sensitive, nuance-ridden
barrier” in context, without favoring either
subjects such as the Arab-Israeli conflict
side’s agenda.
or Islam, journalists should be careful in
These examples demonstrate that report- using terms they may not understand. One
ers should follow the basic rule of describ- very popular cliché that has been par-
ing what is happening, rather than adopt- roted by journalists on all sides is the term
ing one side or the other’s terminology for “jihad.”
the event.
The Arabic noun jihad is used to refer to
But we should recognize that choosing the concept of the struggle to do good. In
neutral terms will not satisfy those who particular situations, that can include a
prefer the “loaded” terms exactly because war in the name of religion, or what has
they do have a strong positive or negative been referred to as “holy war.” Western
connotation. Ethan Bronner, deputy foreign media almost exclusively use the latter
editor of The New York Times and a former interpretation in a negative context. When
Jerusalem correspondent, told NPR’s “On journalists use the word jihad it is crucial
the Media” that “the word ‘barrier’ doesn’t to keep in mind that there is no such thing
so much anger people, but the failure to as “holy war” in Islam. Neither the Quran
call it something else does seem to bother nor the Hadith (the Prophet Mohammad’s
people, particularly from the left, the teachings and sayings) mentions this
failure to call it a ‘wall.’” But not just the concept, which has been abused today by
left – he then went on to describe giving Arabs and Muslims as well as non-Mus-
a speech to a conservative Jewish group lims.
in the United States after which a woman
“You’re not talking about [how to interpret
told him, “You’re talking to a fence person
the Quran] – that’s not the issue,” Melhem
now! Call it a fence.”
noted at Wingspread during the discussion
about the use of the term jihad. “Political
“Jihad” and “crusade”
culture uses religion. People are glorifying
Journalists should understand the lan- a culture of death. There is something ob-
guage, the history and the culture of the scene about this. It’s not about the Israelis,
42 FIGHTING WORDS
Loaded Words
FIGHTING WORDS 43
Chapter 3
media often referred to them as “freedom are rarely called “Catholic” extremists
fighters.” But once the Soviets withdrew, or fanatics. The same goes for the Ulster
they were referred to as guerrillas and, Freedom Fighters who are not referred to
subsequently, as outlaws. in the media as “Protestant” extremists.
Extremist: A person who by definition Torture vs. Abuse: The word abuse is a
holds extreme views or advocates or car- “neutral” term used by U.S. officials to
ries out extreme measures. Such a person describe practices that took place at Abu
need not be violent, but the term is often Ghraib prison in Iraq. This word evokes
used to convey that meaning. different reactions than the word torture,
which may be a more accurate description
Fundamentalist and Militant: These words
of what actually took place.
have become negatively distorted. They
take on an even more pejorative slant Targeted Killings: A term used by the
when preceded by “Islamic.” In that Israelis to describe assassination attacks
context “Islamic fundamentalist” suggests against leaders of Palestinian groups such
that violence is somehow a fundamental as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The term is
part of Islam. Osama bin Laden and his designed to carry a softer effect than as-
followers are often described as “Muslim sassination.
extremists,” or “Muslim fanatics,” where-
Regime: This term has come to carry
as fighters of the Irish Republican Army
a negative image of an oppressive or
44 FIGHTING WORDS
Loaded Words
unfriendly government. We often read about the news. Sometimes this is difficult
and hear about the “Saddam regime” or to do.
the “Assad regime,” but how many times
In Iraq, for example, the security situation
have we come across phrases such as the
often makes it very difficult for journal-
“Blair regime” or the “Chirac regime”?
ists of all nationalities to move about the
Rogue States: Another term used by country to do their own news-gathering.
various U.S. administrations to describe Much of the information about military
governments accused of sponsoring ter- operations, therefore, comes from the U.S.
rorism or carrying out policies that differ military or Iraqi officials. This information
with those of the United States. is usually formulated and filtered to carry
a particular “spin.” Reporters must be vigi-
The Will of the International Community:
lant not to parrot them, particularly when
American officials often refer to their
the language is loaded.
policy preferences as the will of the inter-
national community. Journalists uncriti- U.S. military press releases from the coali-
cally repeat this term, including those in tion press center in Baghdad often omit
the Arab and Muslim world. the word “suspected” preceding “terror-
ist” or “insurgent,” especially after U.S.
The trickle-down effect airstrikes on buildings the military deems
“safe houses.” Journalists, even those
A reporter’s job is to be neutral, to de-
who are highly trained and experienced,
scribe an event and provide it in context
often repeat this language verbatim with
for readers or viewers to draw their own
little or no examination, inadvertently
conclusions. The journalist is expected
influencing their audience to a certain
to give an accurate account of events,
perspective.
and to avoid using loaded language that
tells more about the journalist than it does
FIGHTING WORDS 45
Chapter 4 Images
Sensationalism … or Reality?
“It seems to me pictures are a way to build the
solidarity [among audience members in the Arab
world.]”
– Jon Alterman, director, Middle East program, Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS)
I
n March 2006, The Sacramento Bee ran in the heart of California, usually takes a
a picture on its front page so disturbing very conservative view about images of
that few other American newspapers ran it violence and death. In a column explaining
anywhere in their pages. why the Bee decided to run the disturbing
photo, public editor Armando Acuña said
It showed three dead Iraqi children lying
that he had been urging the paper to run
in the bed of a pickup truck with dried
more graphic – and thus more realistic
blood in their hair and faces, a group of
– pictures from the war in Iraq.
men standing over them in mourning. They
were innocent victims of a firefight north “The news value of the story was very
of Baghdad between the U.S. military and important,” the Bee’s managing editor,
suspected Iraqi insurgents. Joyce Terhaar, said in Acuña’s column. “I
understand that some people are upset
The Bee, a mid-sized American newspaper
46 FIGHTING WORDS
where the images are shown – people our
readers or viewers might know? And are
there different standards of taste in the
United States than in Arab countries?
ages?
FIGHTING WORDS 47
Chapter 4
in the controversy sparked by the Danish own agenda; and what viewers or readers
cartoons depicting the Prophet Moham- are exposed to can vary dramatically from
med that were deemed blasphemous. one outlet to another.
In using images – whether televised More important, perhaps, are the differ-
or printed – we should give a fair and ences between the way the Arab media
accurate portrayal of events without exag- report on various events and the way the
geration or manipulation. After all, these same events are handled by Western
images – unlike, usually, the words that media organizations. This is evident in the
accompany them – are likely to stay with coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli con-
us for a very long time. So choosing these flict, the 9/11 attacks on the United States,
images must be done with the utmost care. the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq and
many other major developments. These
Arab vs. Western media differences can be clearly noticed in the
language used as well as in the footage
Media in the Arab world have taken dra-
and images shown on television broad-
matic steps in the last 15 years or so since
casts or printed in newspapers.
the launch of the first satellite television
station – MBC. The subsequent launch Are these differences proper? Or should
of Al Jazeera and other dedicated news media – regardless of origin – adhere to
channels set new benchmarks for Arab TV the same principles and standards?
journalism. The same can be said about
When it comes to images, Arab media tend
print journalism, particularly Arabic-lan-
to use more explicit and graphic images
guage newspapers and magazines that
of civilian casualties, bodies of soldiers,
are published abroad, and their Web sites.
and bombed-out buildings and homes.
Today, Arab audiences can choose from
Al Jazeera, for example, was one of the
various satellite services that provide up-
first to broadcast images of the extent of
to-the-minute coverage of major conflicts
destruction to cities and villages after the
and developments, and are no longer
U.S. war in Afghanistan; it also was one
limited to state-controlled media that for
of the first to show American prisoners of
years provided little useful information.
war in Iraq, which was highly criticized by
But it is important to keep in mind that U.S. government officials.
there is no such a thing as “Arab media”
U.S. media have been much more reticent
just as there is no “Arab audience.” The
to show such images, as evidenced by the
coverage by Arab media is far from mono-
reluctance of American media to use the
lithic. Each media outlet in the Arab world
photo of child victims discussed earlier
– just as in the West – has its own inclina-
in this chapter. In both cases, the media
tions, style, language and sometimes its
48 FIGHTING WORDS
Images
are accused of making their decisions to These images include dead or mutilated
serve a political purpose. U.S. officials and bodies, civilian casualties, destruction
others have roundly criticized Al Jazeera and devastation caused by war and many
and other Arabic media for using an overly other examples. They also include anti-
negative portrayal of the war, focusing on Western protests from various countries in
gruesome images of innocent victims, to the Arab and Muslim worlds.
rally the Arab world against the U.S. effort
The question is, as Lillian Thomas of the
in Iraq.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette put it in a story
On the other hand, critics accuse the about the use of graphic images: “How do
mainstream Western media of allowing we – as journalists – decide whether these
itself to become, intentionally or uninten- images are in fact ‘examples of stomach-
tionally, a tool in the hands of the U.S. ad- turning excess or honest depictions of a
ministration for winning public support for disturbing world?’ More importantly, how
its war in Iraq. The showing of “positive” do we make sure that such images are in
images of the “War of Liberation” while fact newsworthy and do not overwhelm
avoiding images of civilian casualties, they the news message to become themselves
say, is nothing less than propaganda dur- the news? And if ‘mainstream’ media
ing a war campaign. choose not to display these images, can
we prevent them from finding their way to
There is some validity to both points of
the Internet?”
view. The difficult question for journalists
in both regions is how to ensure that the The questions that haunt Western media
decisions they make on coverage and when dealing with such images have to
the use of images are influenced as little do with two basic issues: 1) Consider-
as possible by the political goals of their ation for the viewer’s taste and feelings;
countries’ leaders. 2) Considerations for the families of the
dead. However, as we will see later, media
Disturbing images organizations sometimes exercise a kind
of censorship in the name of sanitizing the
Some in the news business argue that
audience.
what people do not see or hear is often
more important than what they do. Arab Showing graphic images is not a phe-
media organizations, particularly broad- nomenon limited to Arab media. Many
casters, are often accused of showing Western – non-American – media also
images that are unnecessarily graphic show more graphic images. The British
and gruesome or that incite violence. The newspaper The Guardian, like many of
same images are often withheld from the its counterparts in Europe, has published
public in the West as being too disturbing. photos of death during recent conflicts
FIGHTING WORDS 49
Chapter 4
around the world. The paper’s photo editor, the reporter becomes part of the story.
Eamon McCabe, explains the rationale But Elsner agreed that there are many
behind it in an article titled, “Why we must instances in which provocative images are
show the dead.” necessary.
“Every time there is a tragedy or a war, In the past, U.S. media had little problem
an outcry follows about why newspapers showing images of death on the military
choose to publish photographs of dead front and at home. The images from Viet-
bodies,” he said. “And yet tragedies need nam and Somalia are still vivid in people’s
bodies. … How can you not have photo- memories and were credited with chang-
graphs of dead bodies during a war?” ing domestic opinion about the presence
of U.S. troops in those countries.
Camille Elhassani of Al Jazeera argued
at Wingspread that the same standards But few would argue that U.S. media apply
should apply when it comes to showing the same standards when dealing with
American and non-American deaths. She images of dead Americans at home or in
stressed that “the [U.S.] news won’t show combat abroad as they do for dead people
dead American soldiers, but we have no of another country. And yet those images
problem showing dead Iraqis.” that are not shown on Western media
will almost certainly find their way to Al
Mohannad Khatib, a news anchor at
Jazeera, Al Arabiya or other media outlets
the Dubai-based Al Arabiya at the time,
in the region, as well as Internet sites in
agreed. During the Wingspread discus-
the United States.
sions, he said that he has “no problem
with showing dead bodies,” however, he American journalists were faced with hard
drew a line when it comes to showing decisions when the Sept. 11 attacks took
mutilated bodies and “half bodies.” He place. Suddenly the “catastrophe” hit
went on to say that killing and death is part home, and the tough question was: How
of a war story, and “if people are being much do we show?
slaughtered…it has to be shown.”
Serge Schmemann of the International
Alan Elsner of Reuters, however, suggest- Herald Tribune and formerly of The New
ed a more cautious approach. He argued York Times acknowledged during the
that journalists too often pile on “gory Wingspread discussions that the Times
image after image in a gratuitous way that “would not show pictures of caskets in
is designed to evoke a purely emotional the 1950s, let alone dead bodies ... but the
response from viewers rather than inform main thing for us was photos of people
them.” Doing so may turn the reporter jumping from the World Trade Center.” He
into a kind of propagandist, and then raised the question of whether “the horror
50 FIGHTING WORDS
Images
of this has any news value? Or are we just There are many other cases in which
feeding some kind of prurient interests?” American media decided that the news-
He argued that “We’re not going to run the worthiness of a disturbing photo justified
picture if it’s simply gruesome.” running it: the grieving woman next to a
Vietnam War protester killed by National
There were several controversial images
Guard troops at Kent State University in
captured that day and the days to follow.
1970 or the mass suicide by the (mostly
Univision aired a video – in slow motion
U.S.) members of the People’s Temple cult
– of a person falling from a high floor of
in Guyana in 1978. Were the images an
the World Trade Center. The video did not
essential part to telling the story? Were
show the body hitting the ground because
these photos newsworthy or did they
another building blocked the view.
overwhelm the story?
The New York Daily News published this
These are some of the questions that
image captured by photographer Susan
journalists need to answer when deciding
Watts. These
to publish such photographs.
photos drew a
great deal of Among the graphic images that have
criticism. Ed generated the most debate were pictures
Kosner, the pa- of the bodies of American soldiers being
(New York Daily News)
FIGHTING WORDS 51
Chapter 4
52 FIGHTING WORDS
Images
ers or viewers can offer opinions on that guerrilla groups committed to restoring the
decision. old regime.
More recently, many Western media Nevertheless, the decision to release the
published the grisly pictures of burned and photographs of the bodies of Uday and
mutilated bodies of American military con- Qusay is a controversial one: the U.S.
tractors hanging from a bridge in Fallujah, military was outraged when Arab televi-
Iraq, in March 2004. sion channels broadcast pictures of dead
and captured U.S. soldiers during the war.
While many media organizations refrained
from publishing many graphic images of
the Iraq war, others, including The New
York Times, decided to show them. These
were not American soldiers but rather
American civilians so they were not “pro-
tected” by various rules and regulations.
Others, such as Jim Lewis of Slate.com,
(Reuters)
FIGHTING WORDS 53
Chapter 4
1) Can the sources of these images be war in Iraq. A few days into the war, Al
verified? Are they credible? Iraqi TV and other Arabic broadcasters
2) What purpose would these images including Al Jazeera TV aired a video
serve, and how would they explain/en- provided by the Iraqi government, show-
hance/supplement the story? ing bodies of U.S. service members killed
3) Will such images help the audience during the battle for the southern Iraqi
better understand the event? town of Nasiriyeh. The video also showed
4) How often do we replay or rerun these several dazed, and in some cases blood-
images? What is the purpose of replay- ied, American prisoners of war. They were
ing them? being “interviewed” with questions like:
5) What are the possible ramifications of “Why did you come here to kill Iraqis?”
showing these images? Do the benefits Many Western broadcasters made refer-
of showing them justify the costs? ences to the footage, but showed only
6) What are the motives of those who short segments after having the faces of
want us to use the images – or not use the prisoners pixilated.
them? Can we be sure that we are not
being manipulated to further someone’s
agenda?
7) Can we explain to our readers or view- American POW
ers why we decided to use the images? in Iraq
(Al Jazeera)
54 FIGHTING WORDS
Images
FIGHTING WORDS 55
Chapter 4
photos showed a group of prisoners kneel- sensitivity and taste (especially when
ing, with their arms shackled and wearing images show hostages being abused or
large black goggles and ear cups. The even killed), journalists must also question
International Committee of the Red Cross whether showing those images helps the
said the United States may have violated kidnappers’ cause. One of their motives,
the Third Geneva Convention by releasing after all, is to get more attention.
those photographs, as it could expose the
The airing of video segments showing Wall
prisoners “to public curiosity.” The Bush
Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl just
administration has denied mistreating
before his murder by his captors in May
prisoners and says the Geneva Conven-
2002 in Pakistan created a big controversy
tions, which lay out the rights of prisoners
for CBS. The U.S. network showed the
and the obligations of their captors, do not
footage despite requests from the U.S.
apply to Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters.
State and Justice departments not to do
And some of those who favored publica- so out of consideration for the reporter’s
tion of photos of prisoners at Abu Ghraib family. CBS contacted The Wall Street
and Guantanamo have argued that while Journal before airing the video so Pearl’s
the publication colleagues and family would not be caught
may violate by surprise. While CBS did not show the
individuals’ execution itself, the video inevitably made
rights, it is its way to the Internet, where viewers
necessary to could see it in its entirety.
show the world
CBS anchorman Dan Rather told viewers
how those
on the nightly news on May 14 that “We
prisoners are
are about to show you edited portions of it
being treated. Prisoners held at Guan-
tanamo Bay so that you can see and judge for yourself
If the media
the kind of propaganda terrorists are using
hadn’t shown photos of the shocking mis-
in their war against the United States.”
treatment of Abu Ghraib prisoners – even
if they violated the Geneva Convention In a statement explaining its decision, CBS
– there would never have been such an said: “While we understand and recognize
outcry to end the abuse. the sorrow of the Pearl family, last night
we reported important and newsworthy
Another issue debated by media has been
information to the American public. The
the use of photographs and video that
report was sound and responsible journal-
show Western hostages kidnapped by ex-
ism, sensitively presented and showed
tremists in Iraq, Pakistan and other coun-
the audience an example of the very real
tries. In addition to the questions about
threat the free world faces in its war on
56 FIGHTING WORDS
Images
terrorism. Ignoring these kinds of stories • Should a fellow reporter be treated dif-
not only doesn’t serve the public and runs ferently than a kidnapped non-reporter?
counter to our mission as journalists, but • Could publishing any information jeop-
can lead to an uninformed – and vulner- ardize efforts to save the hostage’s life?
able – nation.” • If there is a blackout, how long should it
be observed?
The same kind of decision faced many
• Does showing the video or publishing
news organizations after they learned of
photos play into the hands of the kid-
the kidnapping of The Christian Science
nappers? Does it give them a platform
Monitor stringer Jill Carroll in Baghdad
to air their messages?
on Jan. 7, 2006. Managing Editor Marshall
• Could the news of the abduction help
Ingwerson sent an e-mail requesting “off
to alert the community to this crime and
the record, that all media please honor
perhaps provide certain clues? Could
a news blackout on the kidnapping of a
it help in galvanizing public opinion
freelance journalist earlier today pending
against the kidnappers? Could it send
further notice. We ask this out of respect
a message to the kidnappers that the
to the journalist and the ongoing, intensive
person, in Carroll’s case, is in fact a
effort to free her.”
journalist and not affiliated with any
The blackout was lifted by the Monitor other group?
a couple of days later, and news of the • Should there be guidelines or a code
kidnapping had already hit the wires and that journalists adhere to when it
found its way to several media, including comes to covering kidnappings? Or
CNN. should these cases be treated on an
individual basis?
Al Jazeera showed footage of Carroll it
obtained from the kidnappers while she
was being held – and, Egyptian journalist At Wingspread, Eileen O’Connor, at
and columnist Mona Eltahawy said at a the time ICFJ’s president and a former
recent debate in Doha, that it was objec- CNN correspondent, raised the issue of
tionable: “When I turned on the television whether television can act as an “en-
and I saw Jill Carroll sobbing in front of a abler” for “terrorists” and hostage takers
camera, forced to wear a headscarf, I saw by showing footage of beheadings or other
no context in that. It was an awful mes- video related to kidnappings.
sage to send out. And for me, as an Arab
and a Muslim, it’s a terrible thing to watch, Airing Osama’s messages
and … completely unnecessary.”
Another issue that faced Western media in
In cases like this, journalists face serious particular was the airing of messages from
and hard questions, including:
FIGHTING WORDS 57
Chapter 4
Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and have the right to hear what bin Laden is
some of his deputies following the attack saying, and they deserve to evaluate for
on Afghanistan in October 2001. In these themselves the nature of what they are
messages bin Laden and his representa- up against. She said: “I don’t think [then
tives appealed to Muslims to overthrow National Security Advisor] Condoleeza
their U.S.-allied governments. The tapes Rice should be the news director for the
were aired on Al Jazeera TV. American press.”
Suspicious that bin Laden was using While some argue that media organiza-
American TV to send certain “coded tions have the right – and responsibility
messages,” the White House asked the – to tell the whole story, they have to stop
major U.S. networks to carefully examine short of glorifying the killers by airing their
these tapes before airing them. Several images and messages.
networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN
Is this an example of the media acting re-
and Fox agreed to screen these tapes and
sponsibly? Or is it an example of succumb-
possibly edit them before putting them on
ing to government pressure and censor-
the air.
ship? How does the relationship between
Fox News said in a statement: “We believe the media and the government change
a free press must and can bear responsi- during wartime, or should it change at all?
bility not to be used by those who want to
destroy America and endanger the lives of Patriotic images/icons
its citizens.”
At a time of war or national catastrophe,
The New York Times, however, criticized viewers and readers are exposed to a
the administration’s request, saying that different kind of journalism. Images that
the White House had also suggested that accompany this kind of coverage often
print media might be asked not to publish tend to be nationalistic, patriotic and full of
complete transcripts of these messages. symbols and icons. Many of these images
become a part of the collective memory of
“The American people should have unfet-
the people.
tered access to information about the
terrorist leader and his views,” the Times During the war in Iraq, the U.S. military
said. “We trust the White House does not allowed reporters, photographers and
believe that his venomous propaganda will videographers to be “embedded” with U.S.
turn the country in his favor.” troops. This practice inevitably results in
images that will be for the most part, pa-
Carolyn Marvin of the University of Penn-
triotic views of what the troops are doing
sylvania’s Annenberg School for Com-
without any indication of what is happen-
munication believes the American people
ing on the other side.
58 FIGHTING WORDS
Images
FIGHTING WORDS 59
focusing on what’s going right. news and what’s going on, not affect the
war effort one way or another,” he said.
The Gulf War of 1991 and the crisis in
“And it would be very hard to decide what
Somalia were covered mostly by CNN. The
the ultimate impact of these photos will
coverage of those situations showed that
be.”
the media can play an important role in
affecting government policies (the “CNN Finally, there’s another reason media
effect”). The current war on Iraq was organizations are being forced to make
opened to many media outlets including decisions about images that they might not
those from the Arab and Muslim worlds. have made before: the Internet. Whatever
images news media decide should not be
During the Wingspread discussion,
seen in the newspapers or on the nightly
O’Connor pointed to images of starving
news can easily be found on the Web,
children in Ethiopia and kids covered in
from uncensored photos of physical and
flies that were shown on CNN and other
sexual abuse of Abu Ghraib prisoners to
networks in the 1980s. She acknowledged
the full video of Daniel Pearl’s execution.
that some editors were arguing against
showing such images particularly around Vaughn Ververs, editor of The Hotline, Na-
dinner time. tional Journal ‘s online newsletter, argues
that people are turning to the Internet in
“‘You’ll completely put them off,’ they
order to get the full story – including the
claimed. I said, ‘Good. I hope they stop
images. Mainstream media, he said, are
eating dinner and pull their checkbook
“no longer the gatekeepers of what Ameri-
out to [donate to] Oxfam or something.’
cans see and don’t see.”
I was trying to arouse somebody to do
something.” She had the same view about “They’re at risk of losing their audience to
showing gruesome scenes during the war a large extent.”
in Bosnia – using images that people could
not turn away from forced them to do If you want to help shape the
something about the massacre of innocent debate
people.
Several journalist societies have proposed
Others believe that journalists have only developing ethical guidelines that help
one duty to fulfill: to report the news. journalists and news organizations decide
Terence Smith, correspondent for “The how to use images. It is worth reviewing
NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” on PBS some of these. The Society for News
addresses this issue in particular while Design is developing such a code and
talking about shocking photos. can be found at: http://snd.org/about/
organization_ethics.html
“What we’re trying to do is report the
60 FIGHTING WORDS
Chapter 5 Interest
O
ne of the major tensions in making enemies, in opposition to each other. Put
news judgments is choosing between another way – do we give the audience
what is important and what is interesting. what they want, or what they need to
Too often those two qualities are cast as know?
FIGHTING WORDS 61
Chapter 5
But can’t we do both? Or are we doomed We can serve our audiences by giving
to follow old patterns? them information they need but presented
in a way that they want.
The “new Arab media” offer plenty of
emotional and nationalistic reporting that The important stories are not always those
satisfies their audience’s need for a con- that qualify as breaking news. The “so
nection with the larger group. However, what?” of a story does not always have
this may only be a continuation of the old to be death and danger. The interesting
ways of the Arab establishment, which stories are often those that go behind the
allows them to “safely channel their emo- scenes, that explain why the news hap-
tions” without demanding real change, pens, or that make people stop and think.
writes columnist Rami Khouri.
Many times these are simply “human
He says the Arab satellite television media interest” stories. They focus on the excep-
“totally avoid examining the two primary tion to the stereotype, the good news of
sources of power that define Arab or any progress, a slow shift in the culture or the
society – money and guns. Until they seri- individual quietly working for the rule of
ously report on and debate public expendi- law. They offer those details that bring
tures of Arab states and their defense and two-dimensional reporting closer to real-
security policies, these new media will ity. All are necessary to improve coverage
remain in an old mold, agreeing to rules in a way that we agree needs to happen.
set by state authorities.”
“This is one part of our coverage that is
In America, a brief surge of serious, really missing, most of the time, the human
informative reporting after September 11 stories,” said Shireen Abu Aqleh of Al
has fallen back into bad habits of chasing Jazeera. “Because this is what interests
after viewers. “We’re defining news by people more than just to read information
what consumers say they want, which is that we’re reading every day – the body
a package that looks like entertainment,” counts and the protocol news.”
said Pat Mitchell, former PBS president
In the context of covering Arab and Ameri-
and CEO. “Rather than leading our audi-
can issues, especially, we want to break
ence, we are responding to them. We’re
down stereotypes, and look deeply at the
letting them stupefy themselves.”2
causes of problems – rather than superfi-
A stupefied audience is not an informed cial reporting on groups and fighting.
audience. Neither is an audience that is
At Wingspread, the participants grappled
merely emotionally sated. If our audiences
repeatedly with the interest versus impor-
are not informed, we’ve failed in our role
tance dichotomy, and how to balance it
as journalists.
out. The issues ran through many of the
62 FIGHTING WORDS
Interest
sessions like a long, thick thread – con- what’s happening on the ground?
necting cultural differences and coverage
Alterman’s questions brought nods of
problems.
agreement from the Arab journalists,
but elicited some confusion among the
Assumptions
Americans.
We base our decisions about what stories
Quil Lawrence, who covers Iraq for “The
to cover, and how to play stories, on as-
World,” a co-production of the BBC and
sumptions that may or may not be valid.
Public Radio International, said, “It’s not
Editors in different places may put more or
our job to show the connection to respon-
less weight on these assumptions.
sibility. It’s our job to show the relevance
Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic of something, to have the ‘So what?’ jump
and International Studies showed the jour- out, but not necessarily to take it a step
nalists at Wingspread two Al Jazeera sto- farther and say ‘Here’s how you should
ries, one of them an intensely human piece feel about it.’”
about an Israeli attack that referred to the
Reuters correspondent Alan Elsner said,
victims as “butchered” and “martyrs,”
“What you have to ask yourself is, am I
and the other a straight protocol piece
going to be a participant in this story, or
about the peace process. Then Alterman
am I going to explain the story? And by us-
asked a series of provocative questions to
ing these arousal terms and pictures, you
get people to think about the differences
basically become a participant.”
among media outlets and about the role of
a journalist: But, Alterman responded, there could be
so much context in a story, as with the
“Is it important that you convey to your au-
protocol story, that it doesn’t have enough
dience a sense of responsibility for what’s
detail to have any emotional impact and
happening? If you’re a Western reporter
therefore interest. At the same time – how
in Iraq, should you be reporting in such
do you avoid having all-negative emotions
a way that Americans say, ‘This actually
elicited by stories, thereby fueling stereo-
has something to do with me’? If you’re an
types by arousing the perception of threat?
Arab reporter reporting this, is it important
that people feel a sense of solidarity?” The journalists at Wingspread generally
agreed that the best story has details that
Is it part of the responsibility of the jour-
give dimension and humanity to the news,
nalist to elicit a response in the audience?
which catches the reader’s interest and
Are you doing your job as a journalist,
has context from describing preceding
Alterman asked, if people in your audi-
events and social influences.
ence don’t feel a personal connection with
FIGHTING WORDS 63
Chapter 5
For example, a story about an Israeli at- put it this way: “If I can’t tell the story
tack on a Palestinian village needs to have because, frankly, some focus group says
not only the voices of innocent bystanders people don’t care, how do I tell that story
who were hurt in the attack and pictures in such a fashion that they should care?
of their destroyed homes, but also the fact Because we think that it is an important
that the attack was retaliation for a suicide story to be told?”
bombing, carried out by two people from
Here are some other assumptions behind
the village, that killed 30 people in a Tel
the news that may need to be rethought.
Aviv shopping mall.
Fast comes first.
Context is part of fairness, and that is an
Journalists cover news. That’s the most
essential part of trust. A survey of Ameri-
basic definition of our job. Breaking
can audiences in 2005 by the Pew Re-
stories, deadlines, beating the competi-
search Center found that 60 percent “see
tion, live coverage on the scene – that is
news organizations as politically biased”
the breathless excitement of the business.
and that 72 percent “say news organiza-
So the assumption evolves that whatever
tions tend to favor one side, rather than
is the latest news is the most important
treat all sides fairly; that is the largest
news.
number ever expressing that view.” By
more than three-to-one (73%-21%), “the But most news outlets already feel that
public feels that news organizations are our staffs are far too small to cover all
“often influenced by powerful people and the news. If we always make breaking
organizations,” rather than “pretty inde- news the priority, we are always chasing
pendent.” And “most Americans agree stories – reacting to events. And we will
that news organizations, when deciding never have enough reporters to cover all
what stories to report, care more about at- the events, which leaves no one to explain
tracting the biggest audience rather than events.
about keeping the public informed.”3
As New York Times columnist Max Frankel
So how do we make the important stories wrote, “We are wallowing in information
interesting – without being sensationalis- – but we are starved for understanding.”4
tic?
We have to make careful, intelligent
“It’s an interesting challenge,” Alterman choices about what to cover. Sometimes
mused. “How do you think about enlarging that will mean ignoring the breaking news
the ‘So what’?” unless it is truly important. Maybe we don’t
need yet another 10 briefs with the casual-
Mark Hyman, vice president of corporate
ties from the latest world conflicts, and we
relations for Sinclair Broadcast Group,
can run that human interest story instead.
64 FIGHTING WORDS
Interest
FIGHTING WORDS 65
Chapter 5
our heads about how things work and how on the building’s wooden door. When
people act, it’s surprising – and therefore we focus in on those details, people and
interesting – to read about people or orga- events become meaningful: the intimate
nizations who defy the myth, who are the background and family life of a Palestin-
opposite of the stereotype. ian who blows himself up on a bus in Tel
Aviv, or a day in the life of an American
“Soft” stories are boring.
Jew working to develop the Palestinian
Journalists make fun of “soft” stories
economy. The flat caricatures of news
– fuzzy kittens are for kids and little old
suddenly have color, dimension and life.
ladies, right? Not for tough, brave, smart
people like us. It’s just too far away.
Journalists often assume that readers are
We run on adrenaline so much that we
interested only in what’s close to home.
tend to disregard anything that doesn’t get
There is a bias toward the importance of
our juices flowing. Nothing blowing up,
“our own.” That’s why, for example, U.S.
nobody dead or injured, nobody famous
reporting of statistics on the Iraq war often
dashing down the street? Yawn.
include casualties only of Americans and
We have to remind ourselves that most or- not Iraqis, even though many times more
dinary people are nothing like us. They’re Iraqis have been killed and injured.
not adrenaline freaks. They’d like to see
Reliable statistics about Iraqi casualties
something they can relate to – something
are difficult to get, but that’s no excuse
that lets them feel good. For many of them,
for ignoring their deaths. Although editors
those human stories are interesting, and
may feel this particular bias is justified
the ambulance chasing is boring.
under the standard of “interest,” it’s
As Andrew Mosher of The Washington debatable whether this creates a distorted
Post points out, we’re wrong when we picture of the war – and whether it implies
turn off the soft stories. We get tired of that American lives are more valuable
those stories much more quickly than our than Iraqi lives.
audiences do. Whenever we run them, we
There is a similar bias in the reporting of
get outpourings of response, because we
American networks on the Israeli-Pales-
are connecting people to the news in a
tinian conflict, said Abu Aqleh. Quoting
very personal way.
statistics from the Israeli human rights or-
Sometimes it only takes details to bring a ganization B’Tselem and a media analysis
news story to life. Think about the dif- by “If Americans Knew,” she said that in
ference between a snapshot of an old 2004, there were 22 times more Palestinian
building from a distance, and the close-up children (179) than Israeli children (8) killed
photo focused on the elaborate carvings – but ABC, NBC and CBS evening news
66 FIGHTING WORDS
Interest
reported on the Israeli children who were always close to home – no matter what
killed nine to 12 times more often than country they happen in.
they reported on the deaths of Palestinian
We have to compete with new
children.5
media.
Olfa Gamal El Din Tantawi described The proliferation of blogs has created
her excitement at coming to the U.S.: “I a whole new competition for traditional
thought I was coming to the Mecca of media. News junkies and people who are
news.” But then she discovered there was concerned about a particular issue will
very little international news in American spend hours digging around for primary
coverage: “I felt that I was taken away source material that they can’t get in their
from the news.” She realized that one of newspaper. Others tailor their news intake
the causes of cultural bias in the U.S. is through RSS feeds or the Yahoo home
that journalists cover only what they think page, to get only the news that they are
Americans will be interested in – which already interested in.
isn’t much, from her perspective.
“We must do a much better job explaining
One example of American “shortsight- ourselves to readers, who are increasingly
edness” is in coverage of the genocide sophisticated as consumers of media and
in Darfur, Sudan, which got only a few increasingly skeptical of big institutions,”
minutes of air time in all of 2005 – only 18 says the credibility report of Knight Ridder
minutes. This was down from 26 minutes (2003).8 Bloggers and Internet news feeds
in 2004, according to the Tyndall Report, can give those consumers a different
which analyzes the content of the major line of information; it’s up to journalists to
network evening newscasts. However, explain why our product is better and how
the Michael Jackson trial got 84 minutes in we produce it.
2005, and Martha Stewart warranted 130
Many journalists believe that this splitting
minutes in 2004.7 [Arab commentators and
and diverging of our audiences makes it
NGOs have also criticized their regional
impossible to do coverage in the same
media for paying scant attention to this
way.
crisis in their midst.]
But it’s possible to expand our coverage
What is far away doesn’t have to be mean-
through the Internet – the competition
ingless. The human appeal of hundreds
enriches our audiences. Most newspapers
of individual stories from the tsunami of
and broadcast stations have their own
December 2004 is a clear example. Drama
Web sites now. Some of them already offer
can be a simple story of one person
links to original documents, behind-the-
caught up in a major event, and how that
scenes pieces by reporters on how the
person dealt with it. Those stories are
FIGHTING WORDS 67
Chapter 5
story was done, and special features with about – whether that’s through class or
additional material that goes into greater race or other things,” said Susan Cooper
depth. Eastman, an award-winning reporter
for an alternative weekly newspaper in
Audiences have a short attention
Florida. “They cling to the world that they
span and very little time for us.
come from, and they’re not willing to let
It’s true that in many countries, modern life
that go to enter into other people’s worlds
has put more demands on people’s time.
and try to understand where somebody
Newspaper subscriptions have dropped
else is coming from, how somebody else
across the United States; the large number
lives, and what their lives are about.”9
of satellite channels means that people
surf for information. Too often, we see each other in terms of
conflict – especially in how the Ameri-
And television itself is a medium of short
can media covers the Arab world. While
stories – 30 to 90 seconds. As Al Jazeera’s
American culture bombards the world, it
Camille Elhassani said, “We only have a
can drown out other cultures – and it can
minute and 20 [seconds] for Iraq; if we
be dismissed as being simply Hollywood
do the soft story, how have we educated
films and hip-hop music, when there is
them” about what is going on?
much more to the diversity of American
But other journalists argued that we un- culture.
derestimate our audience. Instead of giv-
And American journalists need to explore
ing them less, we should give them more.
more of the positive aspects of Arab cul-
People will find time for quality journalism ture – even if they don’t work for the arts
that draws them in and makes them care section. “We don’t rule popular culture,
about the issue. They don’t have time for but we influence it,” noted Columbia Uni-
superficial reporting that only tells the versity adjunct professor Anne Nelson at
same story over and over. the Wingspread conference. “And I think
everybody should go back to their news-
Journalism is about hard facts, not
rooms, and go to the book review sections
squishy feelings.
and the film review section and the home
While it’s true that we have a standard of
decoration sections, and say, ‘Hey, there’s
keeping our opinions out of the stories,
this big beautiful world out there, why
that doesn’t mean we have to act like fact-
don’t we cover it?’”
collecting robots.
Nelson said she’d like to see American
“I think a lot of reporters don’t get to the
journalists be a little more vocal about
story because they put a wall up between
getting the Arab world out of the “conflict”
them and the people that they’re writing
68 FIGHTING WORDS
Interest
FIGHTING WORDS 69
Chapter 6 Conflict
T
he last three years have been the Journalists.1 Iraq accounted for 60 deaths
deadliest for journalists: 144 have died of journalists over the past decade, more
doing their jobs in 2003, 2004 and 2005, than twice that of any other country; by
according to the Committee to Protect mid-May, 12 more journalists had been
70 FIGHTING WORDS
killed in Iraq in 2006 alone. The broadcasters are so much involved
with what’s happening,” she said. “They
Journalists have always risked life and
are part of the struggle that’s happening or
limb to cover wars. In order to bear wit-
they just feel it.” The clash of two identi-
ness in the most direct way, we must be as
ties – as a professional, and as an Arab
close as possible to the events. We must
– can literally tear a journalist in two, add-
talk to the people conducting, and affected
ing to the trauma of witnessing violence
by, the war. We sometimes are perceived
and death.
to be on one side or another of the conflict
– and in fact, at times journalists are. It In fact, that type of involvement is ex-
is difficult to do a job so stressful, where pected of them from their audience, Walid
your life is in danger and you are sur- Al-Saqaf of Yemen argued. “I think the
rounded by suffering, and at the same time audience would like to have a bond, a con-
to balance your humanity and your sanity. nection to the suffering.”
FIGHTING WORDS 71
Chapter 6
But, he notes, there are major obstacles Arnold Isaacs, former Baltimore Sun cor-
to being fair, “as each side in the war, very respondent during the Vietnam War, says
often applies restrictions on the way the it was no different then – and neither were
war is reported from their side. It is also the standards: “By the time I went, the war
difficult to be 100 percent accurate, given had been a huge issue for years and of
the fact that war itself imposes its own re- course I had views on it, fairly strong ones
strictions on access to information. Physi- in fact. But I remember saying to myself,
cal movements may be restricted and dif- ‘OK, I’m not going to forget my opinions
ferent kinds of dangers may threaten lives or pretend I don’t have them.’ But what
of journalists trying to cross war zones. I can do is put them in a drawer, not let
Honest reporting requires journalists to them predetermine what I learn when I get
state the circumstances surrounding their there. That means I have to look with fresh
reports and perhaps refer to possible eyes … ask myself, ‘What if I’m wrong?’,
missing pieces of the truth.” deliberately look for things that would
make me say, ‘Gosh, I never knew that, or I
American reporters are not exempt from
never thought of it that way.’”
emotional involvement, of course. “It’s a
fiction to believe we’re not moved, we’re Shireen Abu Aqleh follows in those jour-
not part of it,” said Stephen Franklin, who nalistic footsteps, covering Palestine for
has covered Lebanon, Israel, Palestine Al Jazeera: “I go and cover stories, human
and Iraq for The Chicago Tribune. But the stories, but I don’t put my own emotions
key is for the reporter to be honest about in it. I never cried when I was in the field.
those biases: “I think it’s much better to be I’ve seen dead bodies, and I never went on
upfront with yourself … then you realize air and felt that I wanted to cry, I just kept
that this is in the back of your mind.” quiet, calm … without being emotional.”
But holding in the emotions can also have
Franklin said that he tried never to forget
long-term effects, veteran journalists say.
his audience – which was diverse and had
Post-traumatic stress disorder and severe
many different viewpoints on the issues
depression have affected many reporters
in the Middle East. He had to serve – and
who covered conflicts.
answer to – all of them.
The reporter’s religion and ethnic identity
“Remember that people are reading and
can sometimes color how they feel about
they really care about it,” Franklin said.
a story – and also, how the people they
“Having your emotions carry you will filter
cover perceive them.
into your story if you’re not on guard. And
readers will get the impression that you Reporters working in the Middle East who
are biased toward one side or the other.” are Jewish, even if only by ethnicity, often
feel obliged to conceal their identity. They
72 FIGHTING WORDS
Conflict
might know that their Jewish ancestry has lengths to protect me – and I would do the
little bearing on their coverage because same for them.”
it has little to do with who they feel they
really are – but it can influence how others Embedded too deep?
view them, and even can put them at risk
Another kind of bias can come into play
of violence.
when journalists are embedded with
“At first it was painful,” says a Jewish troops – or with insurgents. The advantage
reporter who almost always concealed his of having a front-line story is almost ir-
ethnic background, even though he is an resistible to many journalists. But we also
atheist. “Then I said it’s the only way I can have a narrowed field of vision from being
get my job done. I don’t want to become limited to the group of soldiers we are as-
part of the story.” signed to. And journalists can come to feel
some loyalty to those with whom we face
One Jewish value he did retain “is to
danger – or who wield the weapons that
speak for justice, to speak for tolerance.
protect our lives.
Those are Jewish values – fighting against
discrimination and prejudice,” he said. Quil Lawrence of the BBC noted that as
And, he notes, that sense of justice is also violence grew worse, the only way he
a strong value in Islam. could report in the field was to be embed-
ded with U.S. troops. The Pentagon policy
“My life has been protected by Arab
of having reporters embedded with troops
Muslims who work with me or for me,
was “a catastrophic success,” he said.
again and again – by people who know
“Embedding allows for excellent reporting
I’m Jewish. They would go to the greatest
FIGHTING WORDS 73
Chapter 6
on the conflict from the side of the coali- police after interviewing insurgents or
tion troops, but only from their side.” leaving areas of insurgent activity, the
journalists suspected of being insurgents
“You are instantly brainwashed when you
themselves.
embed,” he said at a Washington forum
on the media in Iraq. “It’s impossible not to And for Arab journalists, getting “front-
take the side of the people who are trying line” coverage may be easier than for
to kill the people trying to kill you.” U.S. journalists, but runs the same risks of
distorting their viewpoint. “Does hanging
In addition, he said, embedding makes
out with insurgents cloud your view?”
it almost impossible to produce a well-
mused one. “Patriotism is not the issue,
rounded report even when he tries dili-
but there’s another kind of loyalty to other
gently to talk to Iraqis. “How can you get
Arabs, and other Muslims, who have been
people to talk to you openly when you say,
invaded. That is there all the time.”
‘I’m not really associated with these guys
with guns who are searching through your
The need to humanize
underwear drawer?’”
Trying to keep your own emotions from
Some embedded reporters also had a ten-
directing the story does not mean stories
dency to use “we” when describing their
should be free of emotion. Reporters on
actions and positions – which blurs the
both sides know that the important story
distinction between reporter and military,
of a war or conflict cannot be told through
implying that the reporter is one with the
cold statistics alone. Our audiences, wher-
military.
ever they may be, want the stories of the
Arab journalists covering the Iraqi conflict ordinary people whose lives are touched
have a different problem, noted Naseer – on both sides.
Nouri, an Iraqi who works for The Wash-
“There is a danger if you cover this con-
ington Post. Some Arab journalists have
stantly, that you’ll lose a certain sensitiv-
been arrested by the U.S. military or Iraqi
74 FIGHTING WORDS
Conflict
ity,” said Franklin. He stressed the need to they covered stories outside their own
do journalism “that brings you right to the immediate region. LBCI TV reporter and
scene and says, ‘Here is how someone correspondent Tania Mehanna, who has
feels when they have to pay $6 at a check- covered the Levant extensively, found
point.’ You ask yourself, how can I make herself deeply affected by coverage of
this personal?” fighting in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“Man’s suffering from wars isn’t limited to
The most commonplace people can be
one country,” she told a conference while
unusual if a journalist sees them and tells
showing tape of fleeing refugees.4
their story in the right way. As Palestinian
journalist Daoud Kuttab wrote in The New To personalize the story is a significant
York Times during the withdrawal from role of journalists, but one that we too
Gaza, “Something strange happened last often forget, said Abu Aqleh. She recalls
week: Israeli settlers and Jewish extrem- seeing a small story in a newspaper about
ists appeared human on Arab TV. This 81 Iraqis who were killed, “and I said, ‘Oh
is not to say that Arabs have suddenly my God, when did that happen?’ It just
become soft on their historical enemies. passes by, and nobody really thinks about
But hours and hours of watching – on all it. But if we made some stories about hu-
stations, including Al Jazeera – close-ups man beings, about their dreams, how was
of mothers and babies, of young women it made, how were they killed, I think we
and older men, visibly in anguish as they can draw the picture of the people.”
were forced out of their homes, had an
Forgetting to personalize such stories can
emotional effect.” 3
lead to stereotyping. There are serious
The images were powerful, Kuttab said: consequences that go beyond just per-
“Irrespective of the facts that Jew- sonal misunderstanding. Stereotypes can
ish settlements are illegal and that the lead to institutionalized discrimination and
Palestinian refugee problem was created can be used in violent ways to justify war,
by Israeli military force, the human cost terrorism and genocide.
on both sides of the conflict is huge. While
The Wingspread participants learned that
not agreeing with either the settlers or
psychology professor Albert Bandura out-
the actions of Palestinian militants, the
lined how humans use four types of moral
rest of us must start understanding and
disengagement in order to justify violence
respecting them as humans. And it would
against a group.
help if the international news media began
portraying ordinary Palestinians, too, with • Moral rationalization: “We are saviors
a touch of humanity.” battling a great evil.”
FIGHTING WORDS 75
Chapter 6
are only following orders or doing what perceiving. “Sometimes,” said Olfa Gamal
other group members are doing.” El Din Tantawi, “we move from one place
to another physically but we do not move
• Minimize or ignore the suffering of
emotionally, and we do not really relate to
victims: Group members try not to be
the other person’s culture.”
firsthand witnesses; focus on potential
retaliation from security forces.
Journalists in danger
• Dehumanize victims (and elevate the
The physical risks of covering a war or
group): “They are infidels; we are
armed conflict may seem inevitable, but
mujahideen.” Or, “They are violent
the risks could be minimized much more
and repressive; we are peaceful and
than they are. From “hostile environments”
embrace freedom.”
training to body armor, to demanding in-
Understanding this process can help us as vestigations of journalists shot by soldiers
journalists to avoid promoting disengage- under questionable circumstances, the
ment through use of stereotypes and other profession still has much to do in terms of
generalizations. improving safety.
The last two ways, in particular, are Jim Boumelha, a member of IFJ’s execu-
relevant to our work as journalists. If we tive committee, told the opening session of
keep them in mind when covering con- an international ethics workshop in Cairo,
flicts, we can do purposeful, professional “Thousands of our members risk their lives
journalism – stories that are factual and each year because there is a great hunger
objective without falling into the trap of for news, as the events in Palestine or the
moral disengagement. invasion of Iraq have shown. But informa-
tion comes at too high a price when it
We can act as firsthand witnesses so that
leads to the death and injury of unarmed
the suffering of real people (as opposed
media staff.”5
to the “enemy group”) is not ignored or
underplayed. Iraq is the most dangerous place for
reporters right now because it is chaotic,
And we can humanize the victims, on both
“with its multiple insurgencies, power
sides of a conflict, by allowing them to
struggles between militia groups, and
speak and telling their personal stories.
nascent army and police forces (which
But it’s just as important that we have sometimes are infiltrated by insurgents),”
an attitude of learning, a humility about reported The Christian Science Monitor,
what we don’t know and a willingness which saw one of its reporters kidnapped
to be open to another way of living and in Iraq in January 2006.6
76 FIGHTING WORDS
Conflict
Iraq holds special dangers for local jour- U.S. troops have killed about a dozen
nalists, who are in any conflict the most local journalists – sometimes in crossfire,
vulnerable: “… as security has deteriorat- sometimes when they were mistakenly
ed, foreign journalists have become more perceived as a threat.
dependent on their Iraqi counterparts to
“There is no special status for journalists,
provide firsthand accounts of suicide and
other than noncombatant status. They
car bombings. … Because Iraqi society
get the same protections as other civilian
is complex, native news-gatherers are
persons in a time a war,” Lt. Col. Barry
sometimes accused of belonging to one
Venable, a Defense Department spokes-
faction or another and, as a result, have
man, told the Monitor.
become targets of both insurgents and the
U.S. Army.” But journalism groups were not satisfied
with the investigations by the U.S. military.
But foreign journalists are also in great
danger, the Monitor notes: “To some at- “The responsibility of the international
tackers, who are accustomed to a govern- community toward the protection of jour-
ment-controlled press, foreign journalists nalists in war zones should include the en-
are symbols of their home governments forcement of an independent investigation
rather than independent, objective news in order to establish the reason of death
gatherers – targets or political pawns and the responsibility of the military or the
rather than information providers.” authorities of the country in question,”
FIGHTING WORDS 77
Chapter 6
said Ibrahim Nawar, head of the Arab as soon as you come to the point where
Press Freedom Watch, in its report of April you feel uncomfortable with that equation,
2005. “It is a real joke to ask the accused get out, go, leave it. It’s not worth it. There
to investigate their actions!”7 is no story worth getting killed for.”8
Whatever their cause of death or injury, The pressure to get the story comes into
journalists are owed all the protection play in any kind of conflict coverage, and
their supervisors have available, says it means the reporter must take extra care
the Committee to Protect Journalists in not to let competition overtake common
“On Assignment: A Guide to Reporting in sense.
Dangerous Situations.”
In its manual for Afghanistan, the Institute
“For managers, the safety of their journal- for War and Peace Reporting advises, “It
ists should be paramount. This means is easy to get caught up in the adrenaline
discouraging unwarranted risk-taking, of a war situation and easy to be affected
making assignments to war zones or by what other people think about you.
other hostile environments voluntary, and Suppose a group of soldiers are moving up
providing proper training and equipment. to the front line and invite you to go with
… CPJ recognizes that the journalists who them. Never think about whether to accept
are most at risk are often local reporters. or reject the invitation based on what they
They, and their news companies, often might think about you. Remember, if you
cannot afford body armor or expensive feel yourself getting excited, you will not
training courses. Some of them live with be thinking clearly.
daily risks. Some of them are also em-
“It is not a question of personal courage.
ployed by foreign media companies. CPJ
Your job is different from theirs. Their job
strongly urges all news organizations to
is to fight, and maybe to die, defending a
ensure that journalists and others work-
piece of ground. Yours is to live, to report
ing for them (including local freelanc-
what you see back to the outside world.”
ers, stringers, and fixers) are properly
equipped, trained, and insured.” Even reporters who are not on the front
lines, or in immediate danger, can face
Terry Anderson, CPJ honorary co-chair-
another risk to their health from living in a
man and former Associated Press Beirut
conflict zone: Stress.
bureau chief, who was held hostage for
nearly seven years in Lebanon, has said Journalists can themselves become vic-
that journalists must constantly evaluate tims when the stress of covering conflict
risks and know when to back down. “Al- for a long period takes its toll. Managers
ways, constantly, constantly, every minute, must be alert for signs of depression or
weigh the benefits against the risks. And battle fatigue in their reporters during their
78 FIGHTING WORDS
Conflict
term of coverage, and for post-traumatic lated from people, who goes back to the
stress disorder afterward, advises the Dart hotel room at the end of every day.”
Center for Journalism and Trauma.9
To lend a helping hand
“Recognizing the need for a debriefing
forum or the opportunity to articulate Journalists on the battlefield see extreme
emotions in the aftermath of a school- suffering, and it is hard not to want to take
yard massacre or the World Trade Center personal action to save lives. How can we
attacks is not a sign of weakness, as too just stand by and take notes when people
many journalists seem to think,” Joe Hight are dying?
and Frank Smyth write in the book “Trag-
Talal Abu-Rahma, a journalist for France 2
edies and Journalists: A Guide for More
television, was filming in Gaza in October
Effective Coverage.”
2000 when a 12-year-old boy was shot
“Instead, when done successfully, debrief- dead in crossfire. He told NPR’s Jacki
ing fosters strength. The act of articula- Lyden, “I was very afraid. I was very sad.
tion – writing, drawing, painting, talking I was crying. And I was remembering
or crying – seems to change the way a my children. I was afraid to lose my life
traumatic memory is stored in the brain, as … I was afraid from the Israelis to see
if it somehow moves the memory from one this camera, maybe they will think this is
part of the hard drive to another.” a weapon … I was in the most difficult
situation in my life. A boy, I cannot save his
Franklin says the stress can affect your
life, and I want to protect myself.”10
reporting, too. The things that make better
reporting also contribute to reducing the In American Journalism Review, managing
stress, he believes. editor Rachel Smolkin deliberated on the
question of where the line is on helping
“The journalists who do better are the
the people that you are covering. She
people able to say, ‘I can put this aside,’”
was initially surprised, in talking to a class
Franklin said. Sometimes that means get-
of journalism students, that they had no
ting away physically; sometimes it means
hesitation to do so. After some debate, she
just to have a good laugh.
says, she wishes she had told them:
“The other thing is to learn the humanity
“Follow your conscience. Your human-
of it” – the conflict, and the place, Franklin
ity – your ability to empathize with pain
said. “Listen to music, talk to people, get
and suffering, and your desire to prevent
out and enjoy yourself. It’s very helpful to
it – does not conflict with your profes-
have people to sit with and talk to. …
sional standards. Those impulses make
“The worst is a journalist who’s very iso- you a better journalist, more attuned to
FIGHTING WORDS 79
Chapter 6
the stories you are tasked with telling. If Resources chapter at the end of this book.
you change an outcome through respon-
• One of the key skills taught in the
sible and necessary intervention because
courses is awareness. Journalists
there’s no one else around to help, so be it.
need to constantly assess the situation
Tell your bosses, and when it’s essential to
around them. Losing that awareness
a story, tell your readers and viewers, too.
of safety, by getting too involved in the
“Remember, though, that your primary story or worried about deadlines, can
– and unique – role as a journalist is to put you at risk. Keep in touch with other
bear witness. If you decide to act, do so journalists on the ground – don’t let
quickly, then get out of the way. Leave the competition blind you to good advice
rescue work to first responders and relief from a colleague.
workers whenever possible.” 11 • You can’t blend in, but you cannot
always assume that being a journal-
Isaacs recalls life-and-death examples: “It
ist is protection. There are no hard
never happened to me, but in the [Vietnam]
and fast rules about blending in, says
war … reporters helped carry wounded
Charles Hanley, special correspondent
soldiers off a battlefield. I, and I believe
for the Associated Press, but “it seems
most of my colleagues, took for granted
best for a journalist to be quiet but not
that in that situation, we would help if we
stealthy, to carry a notebook openly,
could. It never occurred to me that I would
and to not try to disguise the ultimately
do otherwise, in fact. In part this was sim-
undisguiseable fact that he or she is
ply a matter of acting like a human being.”
there to observe, listen and record.”
• Don’t carry a weapon or travel with
Some practical advice
other journalists who do: “Doing so
Over the past decade, a number of cours- jeopardizes a journalist’s status as
es have been developed to train journal- a neutral observer and can make
ists in how to stay safe while covering a combatants view correspondents as
war or reporting in other “hostile environ- legitimate military targets,” CPJ says.
ments.” The courses are expensive, but • A video camera, or a still camera
most journalists find them valuable and with a large zoom lens, can look like
even life-saving. a grenade launcher or other weapon
– especially at a distance. Be careful in
If you cannot afford to take the course, ask
how you handle and display it.
your news organization to cover it. If they
• Keep in mind that, according to the
won’t, here are a few minimal pointers on
World Health Organization, injury or
reporting in the war zone. Other excellent
death in a car accident is among the
resources are available online; see the
greatest risks to any traveler, including
80 FIGHTING WORDS
Conflict
FIGHTING WORDS 81
Chapter 7 Pressure
Pushing Back
“Yes, we’re all under pressure, some of us more
than others. For most U.S. journalists, ‘pressure’
means advertising or accusations of low
patriotism. At worst, they’d be looking for another
job. No joke, I realize. In this part of the world,
however, pressure can mean a knock on your door
at 3 a.m., and then you disappear.”
– Mirette Mabrouk, IBA Media, Cairo1
J
ournalists the world over face pressure surprising, as a key role of journalists is to
from three sides: the government, the be a watchdog [in Arabic: “sleepless eye”]
public and business. All of these sources on public officials and public spending.
of pressure can benefit from what we do But that pressure can land a reporter or
when we operate freely and independently editor in jail.
– but that doesn’t mean they will ever
The most apparent and severe pressure
leave us alone to do our jobs as we see fit.
for Arab journalists comes from restric-
Pressure from the government is hardly tive press laws, government harassment
82 FIGHTING WORDS
or persecution, and lack of a tradition or if biased wording is used.
or belief in free speech. The majority of
Public pressure sometimes feeds into
Arab journalists still work for government-
government pressure – as with the editors
owned stations and publications, which
in Yemen and Jordan who were jailed after
strictly control content and put them under
publishing the cartoons – and sometimes
threat of losing their jobs, or worse.
into business pressure – as declining
In some countries, notably Syria and circulation numbers can lead to loss of
Egypt, “emergency laws” supersede advertising revenue.
even the limited constitutional rights. “A
On the business side, it’s also not surpris-
journalist on the street doing his job might
ing that journalists would face pressure
be taken to prison by any security people,
to write stories that “sell,” or produce
without discussion,”says Kinda Kanbar of
other content that makes money. After
Syria Today.
all, an independent newspaper or station
Western journalists also fight government in any country is usually a profit-making
pressure to reveal sources, downplay or business. Even listener-supported radio or
censor negative stories, or to “be patri- subsidized nonprofits can face pressure
otic” in writing about military or homeland similar to for-profit companies. Ideally
security actions. We know that “eternal there is a wall between the business and
vigilance is the price of liberty.” editorial sides, but that wall can be paper-
thin or nonexistent.
The public, too, sometimes demands that
journalists show support for their country For the reporter, that can mean anything
in times of crisis, as in the aftermath of from doing stories based on the prefer-
September 11, or during the invasion of ences of focus groups to submitting to a
Iraq. Or, in the case of the cartoons of herd mentality of having to cover what the
the Prophet Mohammed, public pressure competition is covering. Commonly, it also
pushed some editors not to republish the means writing about pet projects of the
cartoons, even though their substance publisher or funder, or not writing about
was the source of a worldwide storm of his family’s other businesses in a negative
protest and controversy. way. Or being told to promote movies or
books published by another company in a
Special interest groups also can mount
multimedia conglomerate.
significant pressure. Journalists’ work is
scrutinized more than ever now, with the It is a threat of great concern to many
rise of the Internet and blogging. Interest journalists, and its influence can be just as
groups may even count words or minutes harsh and insidious as threats of physical
of air time to see if coverage is balanced harm.
FIGHTING WORDS 83
Chapter 7
Jim Boumelha told his colleagues in Cairo colleagues regularly have had to cope
at an ethics forum in 2003: “The future with.
of journalism and democracy is in the
Before television, American newspapers
balance when media organizations lose
were often owned by families who felt a
their sense of public mission and follow an
responsibility to operate as a kind of public
agenda based exclusively upon the com-
trust, albeit a profitable one. Gradually
mercial exploitation of information.”2
those newspapers became part of chains
There are other pressures that can affect or part of media conglomerates, and the
individuals, which come indirectly from the pressure on profits increased.
government, public or business.
Television, in its early days, tended to ab-
In places where reporters are paid sorb the costs of news programming and
poorly and corruption is common, financial pay for it with other lucrative programs. In
pressure can lead them to accept direct addition, U.S. federal laws acknowledged
bribes. A 2002 “Cash for Editorial” study by the power of electronic media in a situa-
the International Public Relations Associa- tion of limited bandwidth, and required the
tion said that only 40 percent of the Middle broadcast industries of TV and radio to
East PR community agreed with the state- conduct their business “in the public inter-
ment: “Editorial copy appears as a result est” as a requirement of getting a license.
of the editorial judgement of the journalists
But, particularly after “60 Minutes” dem-
and editors involved, and not through any
onstrated that it was possible for news to
influence or payment by a third party.”
make money, pressure rose to make even
Organizations or industry sectors often news segments profitable. The great TV
will offer cash prizes for the “best story” news producer Fred Friendly said, “Televi-
covering them in a positive light, which is sion makes so much money doing its
simply a competitive, winner-take-all form worst, it can’t afford to do its best.”
of a bribe. The U.S. Department of Defense
Profit margins in American media are huge
paid for the placement of positive stories
– 20 to 50 percent, according to industry
in Iraqi media – not labeled as such – cre-
analysts. That alone should give journal-
ating a storm of outrage over the double
ists reason to push back when they are
standard.
under pressure.
84 FIGHTING WORDS
Pressure
Ancel Martinez, a reporter for KQED, journalists hard, especially after Septem-
National Public Radio, in the Catto report ber 11. Television journalists wore flags on
on marketing journalism.3 their lapels, and anchors had flags waving
in the background. In some cases the “pa-
In their presentations at the Wingspread
triotic” surge distorted coverage, leading
conference, media business executives
to a backlash against Muslims in America.
Mark Hyman and Mohamad Alayyan
outlined a myriad of pressure points, both While the flag-waving seemed almost a
internal and external, that affect American neutral statement of sorrow and wounded
and Arab journalists. pride after September 11, it took on a dif-
ferent meaning in the context of the U.S.
Hyman said internal influences that can
invasion of Iraq – which many Americans
affect a free press include personal bias of
opposed. In that context, wearing a flag
editors, a “group think” or herd mentality,
seemed to be a statement of opinion that
the multiplicity of interests in corporate
American action was justified.
ownership and management, and the
methods of newsroom management (such In the Arab world, however, “patriotism”
as offering awards to reporters for cover- is a concept without clear boundaries.
ing a particular issue favored by manag- Arab journalists, and citizens, may feel
ers). little loyalty to the state, since it does not
represent them through a formal process
The herd mentality leads news editors to
of elections and rule of law. They may feel
take their cues from The New York Times
greater loyalty to other Arabs who seem
Page One list (distributed early and mid-
to be oppressed – giving great emotional
day nationwide to subscribers), even if
weight to every news event in which Pal-
their readership bears no resemblance to
estinians are hurt.
that of The New York Times.
In either case, the question remains of
“The danger is, by following each other,
what it means for journalists to be patri-
we miss informing people about a lot of
otic.
important stuff – especially in the middle
of the country,” said Eileen O’Connor. The O’Connor spoke for Arab and American
East Coast bias also distorts the judgment journalists in saying that doing our job is
of journalists around the country – and the ultimate patriotism. Whether or not we
in turn, leaves journalists in Washington work in a strong democracy, journalists
scratching their heads and saying, “Why work to give voice to their people and to
do they think that way in Ohio?” O’Connor right the wrongs of their governments – a
said. patriotism that transcends the borders of
any one country.
The drive to be “patriotic” hit American
FIGHTING WORDS 85
Chapter 7
O’Connor recalled that when she did get reporters to produce quickly because
some reports that were critical of the FBI you’re trying to justify the expense,”
immediately after September 11, “I was Sacramento Bee executive editor Rick
severely attacked by the FBI, and we got Rodriguez told the Poynter Institute, in an
really bad mail from people saying ‘You’re article on “parachute” journalism. “I hate
unpatriotic, how can you be criticizing to say it, but it’s true. And that puts pres-
any U.S. institution at a time like this? We sure on reporters.”4
should be pulling ourselves together.’” She
Cross-ownership by megacorporations
feels that such pressure to be “loyal” to
– the AOL-Time Warner and GE-NBC
American institutions contributed to the
conglomerates, to name two of the more
lack of rigor by journalists in examining the
prominent ones – continues to be an issue
rationale for the Iraq war.
for American journalists.
The squeeze to be more profitable has
“I put more faith in corporate leadership
greatly hurt international coverage.
that understands that they have an equally
American newspapers and networks have
solemn fiduciary obligation arising from
drastically cut the number of overseas
their ownership of a news organization;
bureaus and full-time foreign correspon-
that they hold a public trust that is a vital
dents, instead relying on freelancers.
component of a free society,” said Peter
When reporters do travel for their papers
C. Goldmark, former chairman and CEO,
or stations, they are expected to produce
International Herald Tribune, in his 2001
volumes of material – at times forced to
report for the Aspen Institute. “I put more
put quantity over quality.
faith in that than I do in whether the corpo-
“There’s pressure from us as editors to ration is big or small.”5
86 FIGHTING WORDS
Pressure
FIGHTING WORDS 87
Chapter 7
coverage and debate following September tational, loud and endlessly engaging,”
11 brought new choices to the Arab world, writes Rami Khouri, a columnist and editor
as Alayyan noted. for the Daily Star of Beirut. “Yet, ultimately,
they have no measurable political impact,
Although Al Jazeera has been criticized
because their Arab viewers cannot go out
for being sensational or nationalist, others
regularly and vote for their governments
believe that it provides an effective alter-
or change their nation’s political, fiscal
native which ignited debate and spurred
or defense policies. The fare on our Arab
improvement across the Arab world. Its
screens has changed; the exercise of
audience is estimated at 30 million people
our Arab political authority has not. That
in the region.
makes new Arab media mainly entertain-
“Why? Because it is, to many, the only ers rather than credible political actors.”8
free station that reflects the Arab’s point of
True independence has yet to be seen,
view,” Alayyan said.
Khouri writes: “Almost every new Arab
That has spurred a move toward more media channel is funded directly by Arab
independent media. governments or indirectly through the
Arab political-commercial elite, who
“Satellite television stations are encour-
became wealthy through their association
aging a pluralist political culture, one in
with state authorities. With the possible
which individual voices can be heard,
exception of Hezbollah’s high-adrenaline
disagreements openly aired,” Alayyan said
channel from Lebanon, el-Manar, the new
in his slide presentation at the Wingspread
Arab media are appendages of the ruling
conference. “Controversial programs
political and economic order in the Arab
of private satellite news channels are
world, not challenges to it.”
drawing millions of viewers away from
conservative, state-run television stations, Alayyan agrees. As a small private busi-
making it difficult for most Arab states to ness, he has to compete with channels
maintain control over the public sphere.” funded by the deep pockets of oil-rich
governments (Qatar funds Al Jazeera) and
There are now more than 200 satellite sta-
wealthy individuals connected to govern-
tions in the region, most of them privately
ments (Al Arabiya is backed by money
owned. A new openness has held up poli-
from a Saudi who married into the royal
tics and society for scrutiny. Taboos have
family).
been exposed and red lines have shifted.
Indeed, reporters at both those networks
But some say that this “new” Arab media
will acknowledge that they cannot give
is just an old wolf in sheep’s clothing.
negative coverage to their sponsors’ coun-
“Our new media are bold, sexy, confron- tries. In addition, Al Arabiya cannot violate
88 FIGHTING WORDS
Pressure
the restrictive press laws of the United major obstacle that I face every day, from
Arab Emirates, where it is based – even the journalists themselves.”
though it is located in a “free zone.” In Gulf
It isn’t just the legal problems. Alayyan
countries, journalists who are on a work
knows that the government is one of the
visa from elsewhere can quickly have their
largest advertisers, so they also have com-
residence permits revoked – along with
mercial clout. But he has foregone their
their jobs – for any offense.
ads in return for editorial freedom.
In the end, Alayyan said, “Our job is to
Journalists, publishers and legislators
push governments. … We have laws that
need to draft laws that protect the press’s
affect the media so much and that are a
ability to cover government and other top-
huge hindrance to us.” Press laws in Arab
ics without fear of harassment.
countries prohibit any negative coverage
of royal families, of public officials, of Is- In Jordan and the UAE, new press laws
lam; or any coverage that might negatively are in the process of being written or
affect the relationships with a “friendly or enacted, which will lessen the restrictions
neighboring country.” Such coverage is a on journalists. Kuwait’s new law, enacted
criminal offense, punishable by jail term in March this year, “prevents the detention
– not only for the reporter but for the edi- of journalists and closure of newspapers
tor, manager, and publisher. without a court order,” according to the
Arab Press Network.10 But there remains
Understandably, such laws lead to self-im-
much work to be done.
posed censorship. Journalists are afraid of
even getting a phone call of complaint. UAE Information Minister Sheikh Abdul-
lah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, told a gathering
Alayyan’s response to such fears is: “Who
six years ago, “Media institutions that
cares? We own this media. If we’re not
serve only to offer echoes of self-serving
doing anything illegal, then let’s publish
applause are of no value to government
it.” Still, he said, the attitude of fear is “a
or to the people. I freely admit that such
FIGHTING WORDS 89
Chapter 7
an approach requires changes both in tomed to having problems exposed are not
government attitudes and in those of the likely to readily accept public criticism.
media institutions.” UAE editors say that Even members of the public, the citizens
things are much more open than they we serve, may be uncomfortable with a
were in 2000, and the UAE recently abol- greater flow of information – especially
ished its Information Ministry. But the most when it means they have to take greater
substantive changes are gradual. responsibility for their country.
As in many Arab countries, the aggressive However, to push the red lines of censor-
coverage of Al Jazeera has led the way. ship or to stand up to the government or
“Governments in the region have been other powerful forces – when you know it
very conservative. There is little access to could result in losing your job, your free-
get the real news behind the announced dom, or even your life – is an exceedingly
news. But what happened with the rise of difficult choice to make. It is a personal
the satellite channels is that they gave us decision, and no one can make it for you.
more access,” said Mohamed Al-Mezel, Only you can know what is right for you as
assistant editor of Gulf News, at a confer- an individual and for your time and place
ence in Dubai in March 2006. “Al Jazeera in society. If you are afraid to speak and
gives the news as it comes. That gives us act on behalf of your profession and your
the incentive to go to officials here and audience, journalism may not be a good
say, ‘The news has been announced by Al career for you.
Jazeera. You can confirm it or deny it but
In any case, know that you are not alone,
you can’t change that fact.’”11
and that in resisting pressure you are
following a long and honorable tradition.
Pushing back
Many other journalists have withstood
Any journalist can expect that these pres- pressure, fought governments and busi-
sures will happen. The best defense is a ness pressure, and won – without losing
good offense – to understand the sources everything. The good news is that there
of pressure, plan for their attacks, and take are plenty of colleagues, and professional
steps to ward them off in advance. Then, organizations, who stand ready to help
when the pressure is heaviest, you will be you.
in a better position to fight back.
Here’s the best of the advice that journal-
Societies change, and the role of jour- ists have to offer:
nalism changes with them. When the
Understand and expect that pres-
changes affect people in power or ways
sure comes with the job.
of life, there will always be resistance.
Government officials who are not accus- Pressure from the government, or from the
90 FIGHTING WORDS
Pressure
public, probably means that you are doing If the public knows you work for their ben-
a good job. Think: “What is the product we efit, they will support you – but if you are
are really selling here?” What a credible sloppy and biased in your reporting, why
news organization has to offer is the trust- should anyone defend you?
worthiness of its information.
“If you do good journalism, you can get
Believe in the importance of what you are the news,” Alayyan said. “You just have
doing. And know what your own personal to stick it out. There are many, many tools
and professional limits are. they can fight you with, but if you’re strong
and if you have the readership base, they
Editor John Greenman once told his staff
will respect you and say, ‘Wow, this guy,
that if he could, he’d require all of his re-
he’s too strong to be touched.’ And this is
porters and editors to have savings equal
what’s happened. After reaching a reader-
to a year’s salary in the bank. He knew this
ship base that is too big for them, they
would help keep them honest – because
have to really respect you.”
they would have the financial security to
make the right decisions, with less fear of Practice speaking up, politely but
being fired. firmly.
Many of us would find that hard to do. But Rehearse what you will say to government
the basic idea is the same, no matter what officials or corporate owners who try to
your circumstances: Prepare yourself for intimidate you. Remember that at times
the worst case. you will have to educate them about the
role of journalists.
For example, you may be cut off from
sources and documents if the government You can tell government officials, “You
puts pressure on you. Your protection is and I both represent the public. You work
to build a hefty database of sources, and for the public good and so do I, because
knowing which sources really care about I give citizens information about what the
having the truth published. government is doing.”
Adopt and follow standards consis- You might also point out: “These questions
tently. are not from me as an individual – I repre-
sent the citizens, and I am asking ques-
Professional standards of journalism are
tions that they might ask. That is my job.”
a good protection against complaints. If
you are careful about your sources, if you And finally, let them know what your pro-
verify your information, if you make the fessional standards are – accuracy, fair-
effort to really listen to and report all sides ness – and that you follow them because
of the story, it is much harder for people to you want your audience to trust you.
attack you.
FIGHTING WORDS 91
Chapter 7
“When the government sees that you the bureaucracy if they really hunt – and
are confident, and responsible for every if they consistently uphold professional
single word you print, you will have their standards.
respect,” said Kanbar. “They will fear you,
Simply by making the effort to be accurate
even. They will say, ‘This lady knows what
and fair, journalists can make friends.
she is doing.’”
Truthfulness has fans everywhere.
Know and use the law.
“We try to understand the government’s
American journalists enjoy great protec- point of view, and they do appreciate
tions under the law, but these can be that,” said Kanbar. “I don’t have to adopt
eroded quickly if they aren’t used and de- this point of view, but I have to understand
fended. When “sunshine” open meetings it.”
laws were first enacted, many journalists
Syria Today has an advisory board that
carried a card with them that gave the
includes journalists, government, and
wording to object to the illegal closure of
a businessperson – all with a variety of
a public meeting, and publications took
viewpoints and politics. The advisory
government boards to court over it.
board can hash out issues in private that
Arab journalists believe that the law is the magazine wants to bring before the
worthless when it is unevenly enforced public.
or if corruption interferes with it. But that
The board is also a way to test the waters
shouldn’t prevent you from reading it and
with the government and look for signals
attempting to use it. The support of the
about that invisible red line, she said. It
law will also help you win the support of
acts as a kind of compass to help navigate
international organizations.
through tricky political situations.
For Syria Today, Kanbar hired a lawyer
In the Arabic-speaking world,
who found a way to use the law allowing
English-language publications have more
free zones to allow for her “foreign” pub-
latitude and they can take advantage of
lication. Using a lawyer can help to show
that to push back a bit harder.
the government that you are serious about
working with the law but also that you’re Kanbar acknowledged that another reason
serious about your business. Syria Today has leeway is that their con-
tent is aimed at ex-pats. With a circulation
Make personal connections within
of about 7,000 copies, the perception is
government bureaucracy.
that “we do not really affect the Syrian
Even in governments that don’t support street,” she said. But that creates an op-
press freedom, journalists can find allies in portunity to get information out – because
92 FIGHTING WORDS
Pressure
her magazine is under less pressure. Don’t forget the support of your friends
and family. They may not understand your
The situation is true even in Saudi Arabia:
job, or they may even be threatened by
“As an English-language publication, we
your work. Take the time to explain to them
also enjoy a wider margin of freedom and,
why you are a journalist and what you
as such, tackle issues of great importance
want to accomplish.
to Saudi readers,” said Ahmed Al-Yusuf,
then editor-in-chief, The Saudi Gazette, in There are half a dozen international or-
an interview with the Arab Press Network/ ganizations that support journalists under
World Association of Newspapers.12 pressure. Join them.
“Newspapers should become catalysts for Start your own local organization to
change by tackling issues that are ignored defend journalists, if there isn’t one. It’s
by other media, including an ever more ac- easier for a group to stand up together
tive monitoring role that allows people in- than one individual. And organizations
sight into the truth, and detailed probing of should be proactive – they should make
issues of importance to society, be these the effort to educate politicians, the public,
political, economical, social or moral.” and other organizations about the role of
journalism.
Seek support from colleagues and
friends. Be active in helping other journalists – and
they will be there when you need help.
Sometimes journalists are afraid to ask
Report your problems to the organizations.
for help from their colleagues. But other
And share what works with other journal-
journalists face the same problems at one
ists.
time or another – they will be happy to
help you.
FIGHTING WORDS 93
Chapter 8 Religion
D
emonstrations by thousands of people, In September 2005, the Danish newspaper
boycotts worth millions of dollars, Jyllands-Posten published a set of edito-
riots that result in death and destruction rial cartoons, most of which depicted the
– all have been prompted by the media’s Prophet Mohammed. Over a period of sev-
coverage of religion. Many of the greatest eral months, individual objections to the
misunderstandings and conflicts between cartoons grew into large, staged protests,
Americans and Arabs have been over some of which turned violent. Journal-
religion – the controversy over the Danish ists in more than 50 countries – including
cartoons depicting the Prophet Moham- several Islamic countries – eventually
med being the latest and one of the most decided to publish the cartoons, as part
extreme examples.
94 FIGHTING WORDS
of informing the public by showing the A large part of that gap in coverage comes
primary source of the controversy. from our own ignorance of religion. But
there’s also at times a kind of snobbish-
Although Islamic tradition opposes mak-
ness or condescension toward religious
ing images of the Prophet because of
people. American journalists tend to
the Quran’s injunction against idolatry,
be secular, or at least somewhat cyni-
objections to the Danish cartoons came
cal about religious faith, and their lack
predominantly over their satirical nature
of interest and knowledge shows in the
and the association of Islam with terrorism
stories they produce. Arab journalists may
(one cartoon depicted Mohammed with
be more steeped in religion, and their work
a bomb planted in his turban). Those who
leads them to adopt a flexible attitude
support publication of the cartoons say
– but they may not be able to demonstrate
that they illustrate the issue of self-cen-
their attitude in what they write because
sorship and that all religions have been
of the perceived taboos on public debate
the target of satirical cartoons.
about religion.
Earlier in 2005, a Newsweek article alleged
For those journalists who have the inter-
the Quran had been desecrated in a toilet
est, or for whom the news itself demands
at Guantanamo Bay prison camp, which
more attention to religion, there is another
resulted in numerous demonstrations; Af-
problem: negative reaction from all sides.
ghan protesters died in some that became
And journalists in most Arab countries
riots. Newsweek later retracted parts of
could face criminal prosecution if they
the story as inaccurate, stating “neither
offend Islam. Speaking out against anti-
we nor the Pentagon had any idea it would
Semitism can also bring wrath on an Arab
lead to deadly riots.”
journalist, even if he isn’t defending Israel
Journalists who are careless, or even a itself.
bit hasty, in covering sacred topics put
Religion is difficult to cover, even for a
themselves in peril of massive public
well-versed reporter. The beliefs of indi-
retribution. That’s why reporters in both
viduals and their relationship with God can
the United States and Arab countries tend
be as intimate as a marriage. Covering re-
to tiptoe around religion, to a degree that
ligion as an ordinary topic for public con-
they admit is shirking their duty. Coverage
sumption seems to many in our audiences
of religion is a big downfall for journalists
a violation of privacy, and disrespectful of
in most countries: It can be criticized as
the highest power.
nonexistent or painfully superficial; timid,
politically correct or state-sanctioned; How do we cover religion with more depth
or at worst, sensational and incendiary, as well as fairness? Can we cover religion
bordering on hate speech. in the same way as we would any other
FIGHTING WORDS 95
Chapter 8
96 FIGHTING WORDS
Religion
It’s not the role of a journalist to settle America, or Jews who build illegal settle-
issues of doctrine and dogma, participants ments in the West Bank.
at the Wingspread conference agreed.
“We have to find a way to build a new
Not only because it would take a lifetime
relation between Islam and the state in the
of study – but because journalists should
Arab world,” said Iraqi editor Mohammad
be questioning the experts, not become
Abdul-Jabbar, who has written a number
the expert source (with a particular slant)
of books on Islam and democracy. “Not
themselves.
a secular state, but not a religious state
That’s especially true for the outsider. – it’s something in between, which gives
“Even if I were to sit and read the Quran religion its role in building [the country].”
cover to cover, I would really understand
Christian fundamentalism is a growing
nothing about Islam,” Elsner said. That’s
force in American politics, and it has roots
because he would not be filtering his read-
going back to the founding of the United
ing through a personal experience of Islam
States. A serious examination of the power
and its history.
and appeal of religion in America requires
“The commentary and historical experi- a greater depth of knowledge than many
ence is at least as important if not more reporters now have, Wingspread journal-
important than the text itself,” he said. ists acknowledged.
FIGHTING WORDS 97
Chapter 8
Shireen Abu Aqleh of Al Jazeera offered all points are open to interpretation. A
an example from Palestine in which a fatwa is an opinion, nothing more, and its
mufti – an Islamic scholar who interprets authority is only as good as the reputation
Shari’a law – issued a fatwa against and scholarship of the one who issues it.
an arts festival, saying it was “against
Reporters need to include a range of voic-
religion.” Local journalists reported the
es on religious issues, just as we would
story without questioning the mufti, asking
with political issues. We need to keep in
about the reasons for his fatwa or of-
mind that there is no absolute agreement
fering any alternative religious opinions
on any religious issue, and that our job
– because they were afraid of being called
is to offer our audiences many different
infidels, she said.
viewpoints and interpretations.
But even in places where it’s a crime to
insult Islam, we can ask neutral, non-con- Sharing
frontational questions with respect, just as
Another way for journalists to educate
we would question an expert in any field.
themselves and support each other in
Ask: What is your academic background upholding standards is through cross-
and your qualifications in this matter? cultural forums. You don’t have to wait
What is the supporting documentation for to be invited to a conference – there are
your opinion – in the Quran / Bible / Torah? existing groups online, or you can start
How do you answer religious scholars one yourself.
who have a different interpretation?
The exchange of ideas could also take
It might take some practice with a col- place through more conferences like
league to work out the right wording for Wingspread, through exchange programs
the questions. And you might want to for reporters to visit each other’s coun-
agree with other local journalists that you tries, or by sharing contacts of sources
will all raise the questions – there is some who can offer a range of opinions about
safety in numbers. religious issues. Colleagues might also
help each other by offering to set up inter-
Islam, in particular, has a strong founda-
views or even translate them.
tion for questioning religious authorities
and political leaders. Many scholars feel Such exchange forums can also help to
that Islam inherently supports free speech arrange publications of news, features
and democracy. If a Muslim scholar seems and op-ed pieces to showcase alternative
affronted that you are asking questions, viewpoints. American editors can invite
keep in mind that Islam has no single, articles from Arab journalists on how the
central ruling authority. As in any religion, U.S. is perceived among Muslims, for
98 FIGHTING WORDS
Religion
example; Arab editors could ask a Jew- Our audiences, our staffs
ish journalist to write about his views on
The tendency of journalists to be cynical
Palestine.
or uninformed about religion means we
aren’t representative of the populations as
Changes in law and practice
a whole – our audiences. Agnostics and
Many Arab journalists work under espe- secularists tend to look down on religious
cially difficult conditions, with the threat people as gullible, but religious ideas
of being jailed, beaten or losing their job wield massive power and are a part of the
for “insulting Islam.” Media laws punish daily lives of the majority of people on the
some journalistic “offenses” with criminal planet.
penalties; judges sometimes overstep
Yet with the exception of religious maga-
civil laws to retaliate against journalists.
zines and newspapers, in the U.S. there
And public wrath can also be severe if a
are few devout reporters of any faith
journalist is perceived to be undermining
– and they tend to keep their beliefs to
Islam by raising touchy issues.
themselves for fear of ridicule. Very large
There are other controls which vary from newspapers may have a religion reporter,
country to country. In Saudi Arabia, the but that’s the exception. Many reporters
guardian of the two holy places of Medina on other beats have to cover religion when
and Mecca, writing about the Quran is it overlaps with politics, education, social
off-limits for anyone but religious scholars, issues and war.
and many things even peripherally related
Wingspread participants recommended
to religion are taboo: “You have to be
that publications and stations recruit and
careful what you say about crowd control
add to the diversity of our newsrooms so
in the Haj,” or pilgrimage to Mecca, said
that we reflect the diversity of the societ-
Abeer Mishkas, a Saudi journalist.
ies we’re covering. “We need genuine
Arab colleagues have asked for inter- people of faith in our newsrooms to edu-
national help and support for their local cate us,” said one.
organizations that are trying to change the
press laws and work to protect journal-
ists. Civil society and media organizations
often lack the resources or professional
capacity to put up a good fight for press
freedom.
FIGHTING WORDS 99
Chapter 9 Standards
I
n meetings of Arab and U.S. journalists, way of setting ourselves apart from others
the common ground is our commitment who may call themselves journalists but
to professional standards. Wingspread are only self-serving.
participants liked the idea that we are all
But there is always debate about what
part of a big tribe called Journalists. And
those standards are, what they mean in
like any tribe, we need a code of honor – a
To media outlets who claim that they must This is a valuable commodity in societ-
stick to facts and strive only to report the ies where voices have been stifled for
truth, Olfa Gamal El Din Tantawi of Egypt decades – as Al Jazeera’s popularity
retorts: “But which truth should we be- attests. The satellite network’s motto is
lieve – that of The Washington Post or that “The Opinion and the Other Opinion,” and
of The Washington Times? The CNN or Fox it mesmerized viewers from the beginning
News? Or even is it the truth of Reuters, simply by airing debates on issues and
BBC, Agence France-Presse or Middle interviews with different sides in conflicts.
East News Agency or AP? They relate the Activists hope that blossoming in speech
same event with a great deal of variations. will translate into greater freedom overall
In fact the only ones who are really well – that it will be a major force for reform
informed are the journalists themselves, from within, at least in some Arab coun-
being able to receive the news from this tries.
multitude of resources.
Arab journalists also pointed out that they
“Does this mean that a journalist should faced great obstacles in carrying out the
not be balanced and fair? Of course not. standards promoted by Americans, even
Fairness and balance are not an end judg- when they understand and agree with
ment on how professional the reporter is, those standards. “The media cannot be
but they are rather a personal commit- freer than the country of coverage,” said
ment in order for the journalist himself to Mohannad Khatib of ATV in Jordan. “You
understand better what is happening. But cannot have free and progressive media
the end result will always be his view of that shows everything very accurate
the event, and this should be OK. At least and objective when people cannot vote,
in our part of the world, we need to learn women cannot drive. ... Keep that in mind
more how to express ourselves and free when comparing Al Arabiya or Al Jazeera
our minds from the everlasting practices to CNN.”
Walid Al-Saqaf of Yemen agrees that Arab a lack of standards was a symptom of the
journalism is in transformation and has larger differences that other participants
made a lot of progress in recent years. pointed to: “Arab media is not consistently
He noted that Al Jazeera has led the way outrageous – Arab media is consistently
since 1996 with its approach of offering inconsistent. There’s not as much of an
more than one point of view – because it editorial process enforcing the role of the
was a major change from the way govern- journalist.”
ment-controlled media had dispensed
Al-Saqaf said, “We’re not 100 percent the
propaganda.
perfect journalism we’d like to be, but from
Although Al Jazeera’s take on the news is 100 percent propaganda, I think we are
sometimes emotional or biased, that is a almost halfway.”
way in which it has gained the confidence
Panelists at the Dubai conference “Arab
of its audience, Al-Saqaf wrote after the
and World Media: Getting It Right” said
conference.
that the profession needs to move more
“We continue to face the dilemma of toward its role of social responsibility.
gaining the trust of viewers/readers but at “Our problems aren’t limited to Pales-
the same time being fair and objective. On tine – we have our own problems,” said
many occasions, giving the ‘other side of Saad al-Ajmi, former Kuwaiti minister of
the story’ would enrage and anger some information. Ali Al Ahmad, director general
viewers, who think that the channel – for of Abu Dhabi TV, concurred: “We have to
example Al Jazeera – needs to be sympa- prove that we are brave enough to criti-
thetic toward the Arab or Muslim worlds cize ourselves.”
rather than neutral.
Effects on all of us
“So then we have the issue of balancing
between what the readers/viewers want Regardless of how it plays out, though,
and the standards that need to be met.” most journalists do set their sights on
serving their audience. Even if only to
Jon Alterman, a veteran observer of
win fame or to boost circulation, journal-
media across the Arab world, added that
ists keep in mind that the audience sits as
judge and jury. cago Tribune and nine other daily news-
papers, as well as 26 television stations.
The equation of audience expectations
“Anything we might do to diminish the
seems to apply in most cultures: When
quality of that journalism would diminish
standards that match society’s needs
the value of assets.”3
aren’t set and met, trust in journalists
decreases and the profession as a whole Professional standards can support the
suffers. underpinnings of a bridge that would close
the gap between U.S. and Arab journal-
“Promoting professionalism and a free
ists – as long as they are tempered with a
media certainly help develop a ‘virtuous
healthy dose of cultural education about
society,’” says Sudanese journalist and
each side. Our desire to understand and
trainer Elsadig Bakheit Elfaqih. “[We must]
know are precepts we have in common,
return to and retain professionalism in
and we can work together on finding the
the workplace, and restore the ideals of
best ways to inform the public, no matter
integrity, objectivity, fairness, balanced
what our beliefs, nationality or experi-
reporting and the ultimate pursuit of truth
ences are.
to public life, which, in turn, bring back the
trust, faith and confidence in the media.” To whatever degree we can agree on what
it means to be a member of this tribe, that’s
“Our relationship with readers, viewers
a starting point for improving the quality of
and online users is our single greatest
journalism everywhere.
asset,” says Robert Decherd, chairman,
president and chief executive officer of
One attempt
Belo Corp., which owns 19 television sta-
tions across the U.S. and newspapers with At Wingspread, the participants talked
a circulation totaling more than 2 million, about standards in all the sessions, and
as well as local cable channels and Web near the end of the conference looked
sites. “The confidence and relationship at one possible set of standards to use
with viewers, readers and users is some- as a basis. Afterward they continued the
thing that we should not take for granted.” discussion long distance and asked other
colleagues for their comments as well.
It is not only ideological, but a business
issue, too, news executives say. “We’re The standards outlined below have been
pragmatic about this alignment between used to train journalists worldwide,
journalistic quality and long-term value,” and professional journalists – Arab and
said Dennis FitzSimons, president and American as well as many other nationali-
chief operating officer of the Tribune Co., ties – generally agree that these are the
which owns the Los Angeles Times, Chi- foundation of our work.
worlds – while Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya sites, through community forums and, of
speak to their Arab audiences, with some course, in the pages of our publications
repercussions in the West. When either and on promotional airtime.
media amplify the voices of their people,
The Project for Excellence in Journalism
the language and voices heard are very
offers a “Bill of Journalism Rights” for
different. CNN and ABC are largely seen
citizens, which lists six things that they
in the Arab world. Yet people in that world
should expect from the media: “truthful-
decode the news message differently in
ness; proof that the journalists’ first loyalty
accordance to their understanding and
is to citizens; that journalists will maintain
views of the West.”
independence from those they cover; that
We may work under various limits imposed journalists will monitor power and give
by governments, or we may work for a voice to the voiceless; a forum for public
state-owned publication or station. We criticism and problem solving; and news
may struggle with the constraints of work- that is proportional and relevant.”4
ing in a for-profit family business, or for a
large corporate owner. We may serve a Standards
small town in a rural area, or we may work
Standards should be viewed as goals
for an international network. These condi-
or ideals – a way to consider what we
tions can present obstacles, but we do our
do, and how we do it, within media that
utmost to resist the pressures and carry
are imperfect. They are unlikely to ever
out our mission.
reach a level of agreement that could be
When working on a story, we should ask uniformly mandated, though some would
ourselves, “Who does this story serve?” like to try.
As we develop standards and policies, we The two standards that are the most
also have to let the audience know what common to professional journalists, and
we’re doing. Transparency – letting them that they usually put above all else, are
see how we do what we do – is a big part accuracy and fairness. They include many
of trust. We can do that through our Web elements, some of which could be consid-
ered standards in and of themselves. their behalf, we must demand the best
information available.
The standards of accuracy and fairness
are fundamental because they are the Accuracy includes detail, which means
basis for the audience to trust us. If we that general statements are supported
consistently give them the factual truth, in with specific facts and description. Based
all its complexity, with all its many facets, on our story, the audience should be
they know they can depend on us for able to correctly visualize the events and
something they can’t get anywhere else. clearly understand the issues. [See the
chapter on Interest for more about human-
Not surprisingly, accuracy and fairness
izing stories.]
are also the most difficult standards to
achieve in practice. To be accurate includes admitting what
we don’t know. That’s hard for journalists;
Accuracy
we like to think of ourselves as experts in
This standard demands that we make the
all the things we cover. But when you’re
effort to verify information, not just accept
tempted to fudge on the facts in your story,
it from a single source. It also means we
ask yourself: How do I feel when a source
don’t publish information that is rumor,
pretends he knows more than he does? Do
or that is something “everybody knows,”
I trust him?
unless we can attribute it to credible
sources. And if we print or broadcast As Jacki Lyden of National Public Radio’s
something that isn’t true, we correct it as “All Things Considered” said during Wing-
soon as possible. spread: “You constantly as a journalist
challenge yourself: Why do I think the way
Part of accuracy is also to ensure the story
I think? How do I know what I know? Who
is based on reliable sources – people who
is it that’s telling me this?”
are qualified and appropriate to answer
our questions, who have the expertise And in turn, you need to tell your audience
or firsthand knowledge to give reliable how you know what you know: who your
information. Documents are also sources sources are, what position they hold, what
of information – they must be produced qualifies them, what point of view they are
by institutions or individuals who meet the coming from.
same standards as people we interview.
This kind of transparency is all about
The bottom line for accuracy is whether respecting your audience, the Project for
our audience is informed with correct Excellence in Journalism reminds us: “It
information. To misinform or mislead our allows the audience to judge the validity
audience is to violate their trust in us. We of the information, the process by which it
are their representatives, and to act on was secured and the motives and biases
of the journalist providing it. This makes of the story; and that the story gives the
transparency the best protection against audience all the information they need to
errors and deception by sources. If the understand what is happening and why.
best information a journalist has comes This means including the voices of those
from a potentially biased source, naming with whom they may not agree, those
the source will reveal to the audience the who are in the minority, or those who are
possible bias of information – and may controversial or unpleasant to hear.
inhibit the source from deceiving as well.”
Shireen Abu Aqleh, reporting in Palestine
The pressures of daily journalism can take for Al Jazeera, routinely interviews Israelis
a toll on accuracy. Alan Elsner, who has – although she is often hit with heavy criti-
worked for Reuters news agency for 26 cism for doing so. (Many Arab publications
years, says, “There’s a conflict between and stations do not interview or quote
timeliness and accuracy, and it swings Israelis.)
like a pendulum. … We don’t have enough
“I have to show everyone what they feel
time, none of us, to polish our stories into
like, and this is my job as a journalist,” she
the finely faceted jewels that we know
said simply. “At least I make the effort to
they could be, and it’s always a compro-
show what the other side thinks, what do
mise to some extent.” But in the end, he
the Israelis and what do the settlers think,
says, “the most important thing is accu-
and how do they feel about it.”
racy.”
Fairness is more than simple balance
Fairness
– telling one side, then telling the other. It
This standard is probably the most difficult
isn’t always fair to give exactly the same
to define; and even when we agree on
number of words to each side. Truth is
what it means, fairness is the source of
sometimes weighted toward one of the
much disagreement in terms of how it’s
sides by virtue of the total evidence.
carried out. It encompasses the ideas
of what are sometimes called balance, Brian Whitaker, Middle East editor of The
objectivity, impartiality and neutrality. Guardian, says of objectivity, “…there’s a
danger of trying so hard to be fair to some-
“Fairness is a mechanism for making the
one that you end up being dishonest. For
story credible,” said Schmemann. “If you
example, it would be highly misleading to
have an opinion, if you have an agenda,
talk in a historical article about Germany’s
the whole thing is undermined.”
“animal-loving vegetarian leader, Adolf
The elements of this standard are that Hitler.”
all sides of the story are told and treated
Truth is more complex than just two sides.
fairly; that the reporter’s opinion is kept out
Many elements come to play in an issue;
social groups are not monoliths. (No one It’s important for us to understand that
person can speak for “the Arab world” everyone has bias; it comes with being
or for “the Muslim community,” or for human. And being human is not a bad trait
“Americans” or “the Jewish community”.) for a journalist – it helps us maintain feel-
ing for our subjects and our audiences.
Kevin Sites, who took part in the Aspen
Institute discussions in 2005, wrote in his The first step in guarding our stories from
Yahoo blog on the Hot Zone site: being tainted by our personal biases is
to be aware of what those biases are.
“Perhaps most striking for me were our
Take the time to write down a list of your
discussions of how the voice of moderate
own beliefs. Then make a second list on
Arabs and moderate Americans have been
the other half of the page – a list of the
drowned out in both the American and
opposite beliefs. Your stories must satisfy
Arab media: that our societies are only
readers and viewers on both sides of the
hearing what one participant termed ‘the
page.
Bush or bin Laden’ question, rather than
all the voices in between. In order to satisfy your entire audience,
you have to keep your opinions out of the
“If there’s hope for Arab and American so-
story. What are a journalist’s opinions
cieties to view each other again through a
worth? No more than anyone else’s. Every-
more balanced and representative prism,
one on the planet has one.
I think it’s critical to give those voices a
chance to be heard.” Some journalists argue that their opinion
is valuable because they know a lot about
Reporters and editors should never as-
the subject. In that case – why aren’t they
sume that everyone in their audience
sharing what they know with their audi-
thinks and believes as they do. Often
ence? If you offer your opinion in place of
people who work in newsrooms are very
real information, aren’t you saying to your
different from society as a whole – they
audience, “We don’t think you are smart
tend to be better-educated, urban, middle-
enough to form your own opinion”?5
class, and liberal or idealistic. They usually
don’t have much if any representation of There is a place for opinions – and it is to
the minority ethnic or religious groups. have them separated and clearly identified
as such, preferably on a dedicated opin-
We must ask ourselves: Will everyone who
ions and editorials page or program.
reads this story trust me and trust my pub-
lication or station – even someone who “Our problem in the Arab media is that
comes from a very different background, we mix facts with opinions,” said Kinda
or holds a completely different point of Kanbar of Syria Today, “and [readers]
view? don’t understand. ‘What’s the message?
Is he saying facts?’ ... A point of view is a “News does not exist in a vacuum,” wrote
point of view, and a fact is a fact. We have Mirette Mabrouk of IBA Media in Cairo, in
to draw this line in order to address our an Aspen Institute publication. “It exists
issue, and we have to train our readers in context: social, cultural, domestic, eco-
and our audience, too, about this new way nomic, political. Journalists have tradi-
of media.” tionally been one of the best litmus paper
indicators of public opinion and mood.
Fairness is a twin of accuracy because
The relationship is entirely symbiotic, and
they work together. Objectivity does not
as such, journalists carry an enormous
mean being an emotionless robot – it is,
responsibility that I believe has been
instead, a process of asking questions in a
seriously abused over the past couple of
disciplined way, and publishing the results
decades.”6
based on that process. Conceptually it is
close to a scientific method of testing a Another kind of context is to report good
hypothesis. While it is impossible to pin news. We tend to emphasize conflict and
down reality with precision, we have to problems, but that isn’t a proportional
make the attempt to comprehend and view of the real world. We need to show
report on points of view that differ from progress when there’s progress, and to
our own. highlight individuals who are working for
peace and justice in regions of war and
This standard requires that journalists
corruption.
ward off the tendency to get sucked into
the most thrilling or sensational news. Remember: In a place where much is bad,
Panelists at the Arab and World Media good news is news. Good news stories
Forum in Dubai, in December 2005, agreed are newsworthy because they are about
that focusing just on excitement is not change, or about what is unexpected. We
real journalism. “You have to try to have a have to report on violence, corruption and
maximum of objectivity to make an article other problems, but if we ignore the posi-
really attractive,” said Joseph Samaha, tive stories we are giving a distorted view.
editor-in-chief of Al Safeer in Lebanon.
Other important standards that profes-
Fairness can also include the standard sional journalists adhere to are interest,
of providing context, which means giving clarity and timeliness.
both historical and social background
Interest
information. This information puts an indi-
Journalism strives to be interesting to its
vidual news event or issue into the bigger
audience, because if the information is
picture of society. Such information helps
important, it deserves to be heard or read.
the audience understand the significance
Journalism’s primary goal is not to amuse,
of the story and the reasons for the events.
public that we serve, we have a defense ing them can be very difficult. If you’re not
against governments that want to impose sure what to do, think about what ap-
restrictions on media freedoms. proach would best maintain the relation-
ship of trust with your audience.
Because a journalist is obliged to uphold
the standards of accuracy and fairness, You might also ask yourself: What is the
ethics codes usually specify that a journal- highest moral behavior – the most honest
ist will be fair to all sides of the story, avoid thing to do? What will do the most to pro-
personal bias, not accept or offer bribes, vide the best information?
and will not use his or her influence for
And a final test: How would I defend my
personal gain in any other way.
actions to my editor and colleagues – and
Professional ethics also demand that most importantly, to my audience?
journalists do not libel or defame anyone,
plagiarize anyone else’s work, or fabricate The fine print
or embellish any information, people,
It’s tough to be consistent, even for
events, quotes or details.
journalists who work in a very supportive
Codes of ethics usually also specify that environment.
journalists don’t deceive or cheat their
For example, adjectives and adverbs.
sources or audiences, manipulate anyone
Adjectives are a quick and easy way to
to get information, or betray promises of
describe things, a shorthand for report-
confidentiality.
ers and editors that save a lot of space
However, there are strong cases to be and time. But they are inherently subjec-
made in favor of a reporter posing as tive and often imprecise. They can be the
someone else to get information, or ac- cause of many accusations of bias.
cepting documents that were obtained il-
Our writing would be dry without any ad-
legally. The guidelines for discussing such
jectives at all, so no one would argue that
ethical decisions include: Is the purpose
they should be eliminated. But when we
of the story, such as exposing a wrongdo-
use adjectives we should ask ourselves: Is
ing, compelling or important enough for
this word supported by the facts? Would
the public good to override the general
everyone in the room who saw this scene
rules? Can the information be obtained
use the same adjective? Is there a more
another way? Does getting the information
exact way to show the reader what hap-
this way distort it? Will the controversy
pened, rather than just telling them how I
about reporting methods overshadow the
saw it?
purpose?
When we write, “He violently denied the
Ethics are general principles, but apply-
charge,” what does it mean? Did he knock Consider adding this to the above: Naseer
over furniture, break windows, shoot the Nouri, an Iraqi who reports for The Wash-
reporter? Did he turn red and shake his ington Post in Baghdad and oversees oth-
fists in the air? Did he curse the reporter’s er Iraqis working for the paper, describes
family and ancestors and village? Any of how he learned to question his use of
those descriptions would be more exact adjectives after attending an ICFJ training
and factual – and a lot more interesting to in Jordan. Now, Nouri teaches other Iraqi
read, too. journalists to ask the same kinds of ques-
tions about their word choice.
If we say someone is “radical,” not only
is that a judgment but it conjures up very When a reporter hands him a story that
different pictures in the minds of different says that a man was “sick” after seeing a
readers. In some cultures, being a radical bombing in his neighborhood, Nouri asks,
is a form of praise; in others, it’s akin to “How do you know he was sick? Was
calling them a “godless communist who he throwing up? Was his face a differ-
should be executed.” Unless we know for ent color? Was he unable to stand on his
certain that every potential member of our own?” Any of those descriptions, he tells
audience would agree with a label adjec- the reporter, are more descriptive and
tive, it’s better to rely on a more factual more accurate than simply saying the man
description: “He advocates killing all those was “sick.”
who do not attend his church.”
In making decisions about adjectives,
But some journalists would scoff, and say consider: Is this adjective the best phras-
that “everyone in my audience knows ing to serve the audience? Or does it just
what radical means. It has a clear defini- serve me?
tion, and it’s not an opinion or a judgment.”
Resources
This manual has attempted to outline basic tips and ways to think about
the issues of good coverage for Arab and American journalists. How-
ever, it is only a small beginning. The real work of questioning, reading
and communicating is up to each of us.
This list includes Web sites, online handbooks, blogs and a few articles
that are meant to serve as starting points for research, or models of re-
porting and ethics to consider. Most of the Web sites have links to other
good resources, and were chosen partially for that reason. However,
since links frequently change, we have elected in most cases to cite
only the home page URL.
Once you start to look, you may quickly get overwhelmed by the amount
of material on certain subjects, such as Islam. Good information and
debate on subjects such as religion, journalism standards or safety for
war coverage is readily available via the Internet – but, unfortunately,
so is unsubstantiated, biased or otherwise unhelpful information, and
contentious or even immature discussion.
The key is to read a lot, read widely and discuss what you read with
knowledgeable sources. The rules of good journalism apply to both
documents and human sources: Don’t depend on just one source of
information, particularly with complex subjects. Check out the back-
ground and motives of your sources. Use critical thinking to weigh what
different sources have to offer. Finally, when in doubt, admit that there’s
no authoritative source – or that you simply don’t know the definitive
answer.
Other sites for standards and codes of ethics in the Arab world, in
Arabic only, include:
Handbooks
The Net for Journalists: A practical guide to the Internet for journalists
in developing countries
An easy-to-use basic handbook for using the Internet, written for
journalists, in English: http://portal.unesco.org
Blogging guides
A general guide to blogging is offered in Arabic, Farsi, English, Chinese
and French by Reporters Sans Frontieres: www.rsf.org
Legal guides
A list of books and manuals published in Arabic by the Center for
Defending Freedom of Journalists includes a yellow pages guide for
Jordanian journalists, legal protection for journalists and how to defend
yourself as a journalist in court: http://cdfj.org/
Religion
While there are a great deal of Web sites devoted to religion, finding
those that are worthwhile can take some time. This is especially
problematic with Christianity, with literally hundreds of sects
disagreeing on all aspects of the meaning and practice of Christianity.
Blogs
A few blogs, such as Abu Aardvark, are done by professionals, and are
both useful and reliable sources of information.
We offer here just a few blogs to get you started. Each of them has links
to many other blogs recommended by the authors – and each of those
blogs has a list of other blogs.
The following are Arab news sources in English, for American readers
who want to see the perspective of Arab journalists.
Wingspread Conference
Participants
Bina’a A’-Jusour – Bridging the Gap: Misunderstandings
and Misinformation in the Arab and U.S. Media
November 29 – December 2
Racine, Wis.
Moderators:
Participants:
Mohammad Abdul-Jabbar Matthew Dolan
Editor in Chief Staff Writer
Al Sabah The Baltimore Sun
Baghdad, Iraq Baltimore, MD, USA
Susan King
Vice President, Public Affairs
Carnegie Corporation of New York
New York, NY, USA
Hanan B. Nahar
Assistant to Mohamad Alayyan
Al-Ghad
Amman, Jordan
Chapter 2
1
Mohammad Jabir Al-Anssari, “Free media can’t be established in
regimes that fear freedom,” Al-Sharq 21 November, 2002.
2
Project for Excellence in Journalism. Online. Internet. Available HTTP:
<www.journalism.org>.
3
Ian Fisher, “In One Village, Anger and a Hunger for Change,” The New
York Times 28 January, 2006: 1.
4
Keith Woods, “The Essence of Excellence,” A Poynter Institute report
October 2001. Online. Internet. Available HTTP: <http://poynter.org/con-
tent/content_view.asp?id=5048>.
Chapter 3
1
“Definition of Terrorism,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Online.
Internet. Available HTTP: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition_of_ter-
rorism>.
2
Lawrence Pintak, Reflections in a Bloodshot Lens: America, Islam &
the War of Ideas (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, January
2006).
3
Robert Fisk, “Telling It Like It Isn’t,” Los Angeles Times 29 December,
2005.
4
United Nations, Security Council Resolutions 446 (1979) and 465 (1980).
5
“Europe Joins ‘Crusade’,” The Peninsula 2 February, 2006. On-
line. Internet. <http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.
asp?section=world_news&month=february2006&file=world_
news2006020245144.xml>.
Chapter 5
1
Rami G. Khouri, “Madonna Meets Osama -- New Arab Media and Its
Discontents,” Pacific News Service 2002. [Quoted with permission of
author.]
2
Pat Mitchell quoted in “What Corporate Leaders and Journalists have
had to say at the Aspen Institute Conference on Journalism and Society
Chapter 6
1
Committee to Protect Journalists. Online. Internet. Available HTTP:
<http://www.cpj.org/killed/killed_archives/stats.html>.
2
Ibrahim Nawar, “About the Truth” 2004. Online. Internet. Available
HTTP: <http://www.apfw.org/indexenglish.asp?fname=articles\eng-
lish\2004\are1001.htm>.
3
Daoud Kuttab, “Live from Gaza: A New View of Israel,” The New York
Times 21 August, 2005.
4
Tania Mehanna quoted, “Children and the Media, Seminar,” The
Swedish Institute Alexandria, Egypt 25-27 May, 2004.
Chapter 7
1
Mirette Mabrouk, “Through the Looking-Glass,” The Aspen Institute
Covering the Arab-U.S. Media Forum, Spring 2004. Online. Internet.
Available HTTP: <www.aspeninstitute.org>.
2
Jim Boumelha [IFJ executive committee member], text of the speech in
the opening session in the international workshop, Ethics in Journalism:
Towards a Free and Responsible Media, Cairo, 5 May, 2003
3
Ancel Martinez, “Market Journalism: New Highs, New Lows.” National
Public Radio, KQED, Catto report on Journalism and Society, the Aspen
Institute.
4
Marjie Lundstrom quotes 2001Poynter Ethics Fellow Rick Rodriguez,
“Parachute Journalism: The Damage Wrought by Regional Stereo-
types,” 7 December, 2001. Online. Internet. Available HTTP: <http://www.
poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=4682>.
Chapter 9
1
Neil MacDonald of CBC, from transcript of a 10-11 November, 2002
panel discussion at The NewsXchange in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Pub-
lisher: TBS.
2
Denis Brian, Pulitzer: A Life (John Wiley, 2001). [Quote from Joseph
Pulitzer.]
3
Robert Decherd and Dennis FitzSimons quoted in “What Corporate
Leaders and Journalists have had to say at the Aspen Institute Con-
ference on Journalism and Society (1997-2003).” The Aspen Institute,
Quotations from Past Conferences Online. Internet. Available HTTP:
<www.aspeninstitute.org>.
4
“What to Expect from the Press: A Citizen’s Bill of Journalism Rights,”
Project for Excellence in Journalism. Online. Internet. Available HTTP:
<http://www.journalism.org/resources/guidelines/rights.asp>.
5
Kevin Sites, “Other Voices” Yahoo Hot Zone posted 7 December, 2005.
6
Mirette Mabrouk.
www.ijnet.org/interchange