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Emily Brown
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What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 8, 2006 - 04:49 PM
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Reading through various threads, I noticed a few references to media bias affecting and influencing peoples peoples opininions and undoubtidly their emotions regarding the war in Lebanon.
I actually have no clue where I stand . . . I cannot stand the thought of war, but something I read in a newspaper has me learning a bit from history. . .
It pointed out that this is such a controversial issue because the TV cameras are catching everything . . . mind you the people in Lebanon and Israel are living through it, but we even have the internet for them to tell us about it through, so the rest of us can 'know' what is happening. It continued to question if we had the same media coverage during world war two when England and the Allies were literally bombing German towns and civilians, if the citizens of the allied countries would have let them go on . . . how would that kind of media influence have affected the outcome of that war?
I was a little hesitent in posting this, because the question posed seems so trivial . . . IS so trivial next to the issues the people in the middle east are actually going through. . . but then I think questions like this are really important for us to ask ourselves.
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dromarof
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 8, 2006 - 09:51 PM
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Well, you are right to get confused. If you are interested, please check these 2 videos, they are supposed to be from unbiased persons.
This one is from a 100% British cabinet member, and is related to the current war in the middle east,
http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,31200-galloway_060806,00.html
This one is about the crisis of the middle east in general, and is made by some honest Americans, who are targeting your question about media,
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7828123714384920696&q=peace%2C+propaganda+and+the+promised+land
Happy watching.
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Laura Steiner
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 9, 2006 - 01:21 AM
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I'll start by responding to the question regarding W. W. II. I would argue, that had the media been as involved then, as it is in the conflict now it may have gotten the world more involved quicker. Imagine the impact, had a camera been able to catch the first images of Auschweitz when it was first being built, or if some of Churchill's speeches were carried live via cable. Or if some intrepid photographer were able to take photos or video of Germany builidng her arms in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
It also comes down to enemies. It is a widely accepted version of history, that the allies agreed upon Hitler taking over Polant, that he was an evil man, and had to be taken care of. Now, in Hezbollah, and in terrorism in general the enemy is more unseen, and unpredictable.
So the question: Does media play a role in the current situation in the middle-east?
My answer: yes. Now adays, the media plays such a significant role, that the people making war are actually concious of it, and I would say tend to go as far as to tailor their message for that environment, witness the expressions: with us or against us, and axis of evil. At first, a part of a George W. Bush speech, and now part of everyday vocabulary.
It has in general become all about filters: the first filter being the Public Relations person for the government, the second being the news organization itself- vulnerable to the political bent of the editoral board. Well that's it on this subject from me, for now.
-concernedcdn
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Lewis Best
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 9, 2006 - 02:04 AM
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I think that the media definately makes the conflict more "real" to people who are not stuck in the middle of it. However, the media will always be inherently biased towards one side, even if it is only because of the views of each individual reporter who files a news story / writes an article on the conflict. it is the same with anything.
Look at other conflicts. The Vietnam War was the first "TV War" and it had a profound affect on public opinion. Yesit helped stop the war (especially after the Tet Offensive) but look at the other side as well. At least here in Australia, Vietnam veterans were basically disregarded by the public, labelled "traitors" in the most serious of cases, and were not entitled to government entitlements that other soildiers were entitled to. A major influence on this was the view that the media took, which rubbed off on the public, when in all seriousness, why should the veterans be labelled as "traitors" when all they were doing was serving their country and following orders, as part of their job?
So in this current confliuct in the Middle East? I'm not suyre what influence the media will have yet, but i am sure that it will have some type of influence on public opinion or tthey way in which the general public, worldwide, views the conflict. And with news agecies such as AAP, Reuters, the BBC and CNN, which are huge agencies broadcast and accessible in many countries in the world, the general opinion throughout the same may be the same.
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Raginski Igor
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 9, 2006 - 03:27 AM
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It is obvious media manipulates peoples ideas.
you can read in the following site some examples:
http://www.honestreporting.com/
Look, news stay news, the question is how do you convey them.
for exemple consider yourself that situation. (I hope it will never happen). North korea attacks Japan and kills citizens. in response Japan attacks korea and kills some citizens and troops. Simple situation.
the day later you buy two newspapers. one's headline:
"New conflict?
Korea attacks Japan, 20 killed, 50 wounded. In response Japaneese government decided to start opperation.... 40 killed 80 wounded...."
the second paper claims:
"Japan attacks: 40 killed and 80 wounded in a Japaneese attack af North Korea. David Davidson, a local resident tells us the pain Korean people undergo..........
Japanese military claim that the attack is in response to Koreas attack on Japan. "
So my friend. The man who reads the second paper. Which side would he support? Who would he consider as an agressor? who is the real agressor?
Unfortunatelly, when it is about middle east, BBC and Russian television report the second way.
Other example : Qana incident. the world were told that there were 90 killed. in the end 28. I dont claim it is a "small" number. every killed person is a tragedy. BUT, if you deliver information, PLEASE DELIVER IT THE RIGHT WAY! people who aer not interested and connected to the news, think that Israel killed 90 people. WHY? (I know why, to demonize one of the sides and increase the shock)The damage to Israel is already done. just because the media didnt check (or wanted to check) their sources.
I know there is a mess after attacks. and I understand if counts are not exact. But escuse me, the defference between 28 and 90 is too big to be "just standart error".
Moreover, sometimes news agencies do not check their information or who do they work with, and then things are completely faked.
Read those:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3286966,00.html
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3287774,00.html#n
Now, How can someone who is SO far, know if he is manipulated by the media or not?
The only way is to hear lots of news channels and speak with the people from the region.
Cheers, Igor
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Lewis Best
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 9, 2006 - 08:03 PM
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I guess you could take into account independant media as well, and things like the emergence of Blogs and the such. I know that in countries where censorship is a real problem, many are posting on blogs anonymously about actual events that may be hidden from the general public due to censorship.
So why can't we turn to blogs and independant media for news on any conflict, such as the present one in the middle East, or any matter really. Sure, some blogs may not be reliable, and some independant media is extremely biased, but could it be an alternative to large news agencies such as CNN?
In the end though, they may not have as much influence as larger news agencies. Or do they?
Hypothetical: George W. Bush receiving a daily briefing on weblogs, and political blogs commentatin on his policies and actions. It could happen!
(Sorry if i went a bit off topic!)
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Emily Brown
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 10, 2006 - 09:10 AM
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Oooo . . . the scary thing about blogs is that they may twist the truth . . . that being said, you're right; in the context of a country with censorship issues, it works and it works well. And furthermore the claim that much 'legit' media is twisted is also true. . .
I appreciate what you said, concernedcnd about WWII starting quicker if we had media, but that also depends on whether we had journalists deeply embedded to see the building of the concentration camps and the building of weapons. But then I think about what you say about Churchhill and that makes a lot of sense too . . .
I know that everyone responding here, and most members of TIG are critical thinkers, and they question what they are told and what they see in the media . . . but sadly not everyone is; its such a powerful tool, even a weapon.
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Desert ROSE
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 11, 2006 - 03:58 AM
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ercbrown
we are living in a big world where alot og things are happening and a person don't know who to believe any more so having all these kind of questions is normal to what the world is going through and thanks for sharing with us
"I know that everyone responding here, and most members of TIG are critical thinkers, and they question what they are told and what they see in the media . . . but sadly not everyone is; its such a powerful tool, even a weapon. "
really a powerful tool that it's more like a weapon
"So the question: Does media play a role in the current situation in the middle-east?"concernedcdn
I also think it does and as you said that the people making war are aware of that
BoNo_FaN
I think the media has already got influence on what's happening in the middle east
gosha86
thanks for the links but guess what I'm really sorry but I do believe that Israel deliberatly target civilians wether in Lebanon or in Palestine and do you know what let's say that it doesn't do that in Lebanon what about in Palestine no one can argue on that
It's not as simple as you described it because we have to take in mind all the circumstanses
"Now, How can someone who is SO far, know if he is manipulated by the media or not?"
that's true and alot of the misunderstanding happening is because of that but ofcourse we can't forget that their are some people who are so far but really know alot of things because they want to know what's happening and decide what's right and wrong
"The only way is to hear lots of news channels and speak with the people from the region."
also true or this can also happen by those who are far by travelling to these areas as some youth have been doing from USA and other regions and the shock that alot of them changed their old views and ideas because they've seen things for real not as they hear
listen if anyone of you thinks that I got out of the subject please tell me
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Raginski Igor
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 11, 2006 - 01:29 PM
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Hello Batoola.
"what let's say that it doesn't do that in Lebanon what about in Palestine no one can argue on that "
well, I guess I can argue that, and i've been doing it like a broken jukebox some time. I agree the fact Palestinians get killed, but not targeted. I wont widen about it because I guess It would be REALLY off topic.
" It's not as simple as you described it because we have to take in mind all the circumstanses "
I think medias aim is to tell us the circumstances and not conclude conclusions by themselves, and bring people one sided information.
moreover, faking images or numbers has nothing to do with circumstances.
(by the way: a new video about the hollywood made in Qana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vPAkc5CLgc
)
"also true or this can also happen by those who are far by travelling to these areas as some youth have been doing from USA and other regions and the shock that alot of them changed their old views and ideas because they've seen things for real not as they hear"
Yes indeed. although people that do great afforts to arrive, arrive with a well built opinions. moreover they arrive to one of the sides and thus see and live ONE of the sides. Just as it is normal that Israeli has israeli point of view and palestinian has its own.
Love and peace
igor
This post was edited on: 2006-08-11 at 03:44 PM by: gosha86
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Haïfa
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 12, 2006 - 06:05 PM
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hi
"I agree the fact Palestinians get killed, but not targeted"
Do u think it makes a difference for the victims and their families?
Being targeted or not?
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Heather
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Re: What role does the media play in the Middle East Crisis?
August 22, 2006 - 12:43 PM
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There's one huge role the media plays in the MIddle East with regards to how people from other areas view the conflicts and that is in the use of language. By defining conflicts in terms such as 'Palestinian Militants", "Islraeli Forces", and "Hezbollah Terrorists", the general audience begins to pick up on images that these terms create. Living in North America, people begin to view these countries within the constrictions of those terms used in the mass media. Genereal opinions suddenly become that everyone connected with Hezbollah is a "terrorist" and the organization is a purely "evil" organization and must be destroyed, with no one questioning why Lebanese people have chosen to continue to support it. Perhaps because there are positive aspects? In terms of the Palestinian people, general opinion now is that the entire society is militant. By always using the terms "militants", mass audience starts to think everyone in Palestine uses militant action and it's a militant society, never mind how many people there work for peace and understanding. How can an entire society be militant? As for Israel, thanks to support of the US, it's always depicted as a sovereign nation fighting for it's rights because the terms used are "Israeli Forces", meaning the nation's military. The result of defining players in conflicts by specific terms is that NA audiences believe Israel is always in the right to defend it's land from the surrounding countries full of militant terrorist societies.
There needs to be a huge shift in the terms used in the media before the general mass audience will begin to view the MIddle East with better understanding of the complex dynamics behind these conflicts.
As for the role mass media would have played in WW2? It would have only mobilized people to action and support of the Alliance forces at a faster pace. It played a vital part in propaganda wars and won by defining the Nazi's as "evil" needing to be destroyed. The same propaganda wars occur today, only faster thanks to modern technology.
We have to hold the media far more accountable when we realize that what we hear on TV is not necessarily what we see on TV. It amazes me how many people do not question why what they see doesn't jive with what they hear.
This post was edited on: 2006-08-22 at 12:55 PM by: hperquin
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