All Israelis, both Right, Left and Neutrals understand that these news outlets belong to the Leftist Liberal political parties. In fact, they are virtually Political Parties themselves even though they are called newspapers. As a practical matter they are newspapers, when reporting about the fluff of the day. But, when they get their teeth into a political story which can benefit the Left and hurt the Right, these teeth can draw blood like any fictitious vampire. The Media of Israel is an irresistable magnet for personalities who dream the impossible dream because the pain of reality is impossible to recognize.
I always thought that these sophmoric, biased journals, along with their editors, journalists, editorial writers, etc. ought to be given an opportunity to be ethical purveyors of the day’s News. But, bad habits are hard to break. Sometimes they need something more than a little urging.
For example, some would think that a strong, corrective message would be to picket their offices and printing plants. Of course, that would make it difficult for their delivery trucks to make it to market with their wares. Some would think that calling their press rooms and individual reporters with news stories day and night, office or home, fax or phone, email or snail mail would make their job of collecting news easier.
Clearly, they would hate it because arranging the news and springing the story is preferable to reporting the news without their personal bias.
Sending delegations frequently to meet with the editors, publishers, journalists, commentators to persuade them to return to ethical journalism – if they were ever there - is a good idea. But, they will not believe mere citizens could have a point of view worth considering. They think they are the demi-gods of thought and who would dare contest their spin?
Perhaps, they are intelligent and educable – like a rebellious teenager who needs the same lesson over and over again until maturity strikes. But, it takes a willing and tough teacher to stop the hostile, negative press's reportage.
The Hebrew Media are the only pipeline through which the people of Israel have to learn the day’s news and what their government is doing. The only other voice that dared to broadcast the facts was closed down by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon – namely the 24 hour Hebrew, English, Russian (and others) radio station that gave the Nationalistic point of view – called Arutz Sheva (7).
This news outlet believed in what America refers to as the "Sunshine Laws" – meaning: Bring the spotlight into the secrecy of Government for the people to see. Arutz Sheva was closed down because neither the Labor Left nor currently Sharon wanted any "Sunshine Laws" shining on their secretive activities.
So, without one voice speaking the truth to the people, the people have little choice but to energetically remind the rest of the Media that they are not a Political Party dedicated to the Political Left. When matters of choice are Life and Death, reporting of the facts are vital.
While protest gatherings to bring a corrective message to the Prime Minister and Knesset (Parliament) are necessary, spend some of that vital energy at the entrances of Ha’aretz, Ma’ariv, Yediot, the TV news and radio broadcast stations.
And, while you are giving news stories to Israel's Hebrew Media please Invite the International Media to cover true democracy in our Jewish State – of the people, by the people and for the people!
Media bias in Israel
By Emanuel A. Winston, Mid East Analyst & Commentator
As a journalist, I consider myself an insider when it comes to seeing the Media in an unvarnished way. I see the best and the worst. I see the fakes and the politically biased as well as the hostiles who spin the story or….it takes all kinds. We can dive to the bottom of the barrel and scrape up Goebbels who used the compliant Media in Nazi Germany as his personal toilet and they let him. These were the mind twisters who no longer report the news but think of themselves as artful designers of the news for us uneducable people.
So, let’s move forward and take a hard look at the Hebrew Media in Israel, lead by the 3 newspapers: Ha’aretz, Ma’ariv and Yediot Aharonot – followed by the TV News Channels #1 and #2 and the news radio stations.
All Israelis, both Right, Left and Neutrals understand that these news outlets belong to the Leftist Liberal political parties. In fact, they are virtually Political Parties themselves even though they are called newspapers. As a practical matter they are newspapers, when reporting about the fluff of the day. But, when they get their teeth into a political story which can benefit the Left and hurt the Right, these teeth can draw blood like any fictitious vampire. The Media of Israel is an irresistable magnet for personalities who dream the impossible dream because the pain of reality is impossible to recognize.
I always thought that these sophmoric, biased journals, along with their editors, journalists, editorial writers, etc. ought to be given an opportunity to be ethical purveyors of the day’s News. But, bad habits are hard to break. Sometimes they need something more than a little urging.
For example, some would think that a strong, corrective message would be to picket their offices and printing plants. Of course, that would make it difficult for their delivery trucks to make it to market with their wares. Some would think that calling their press rooms and individual reporters with news stories day and night, office or home, fax or phone, email or snail mail would make their job of collecting news easier.
Clearly, they would hate it because arranging the news and springing the story is preferable to reporting the news without their personal bias.
Sending delegations frequently to meet with the editors, publishers, journalists, commentators to persuade them to return to ethical journalism – if they were ever there - is a good idea. But, they will not believe mere citizens could have a point of view worth considering. They think they are the demi-gods of thought and who would dare contest their spin?
Perhaps, they are intelligent and educable – like a rebellious teenager who needs the same lesson over and over again until maturity strikes. But, it takes a willing and tough teacher to stop the hostile, negative press's reportage.
The Hebrew Media are the only pipeline through which the people of Israel have to learn the day’s news and what their government is doing. The only other voice that dared to broadcast the facts was closed down by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon – namely the 24 hour Hebrew, English, Russian (and others) radio station that gave the Nationalistic point of view – called Arutz Sheva (7).
This news outlet believed in what America refers to as the "Sunshine Laws" – meaning: Bring the spotlight into the secrecy of Government for the people to see. Arutz Sheva was closed down because neither the Labor Left nor currently Sharon wanted any "Sunshine Laws" shining on their secretive activities.
So, without one voice speaking the truth to the people, the people have little choice but to energetically remind the rest of the Media that they are not a Political Party dedicated to the Political Left. When matters of choice are Life and Death, reporting of the facts are vital.
While protest gatherings to bring a corrective message to the Prime Minister and Knesset (Parliament) are necessary, spend some of that vital energy at the entrances of Ha’aretz, Ma’ariv, Yediot, the TV news and radio broadcast stations.
And, while you are giving news stories to Israel's Hebrew Media please Invite the International Media to cover true democracy in our Jewish State – of the people, by the people and for the people!
Posted by Ted Belman at May 24, 2005 04:34 PM