How Israel controls the news
Palestinian media agencies seeking to transmit the truth of what is happening the occupied territories must play a complicated game to negotiate the very tight restrictions under which they are forced to work. MIRIAM TRAMER reports on Israeli censorship.
In Jerusalem I spoke with Walid Batrawi, a journalist of international standing with the Jerusalem Media and Communication Centre. The centre is run, staffed and funded by Palestinians. One of its members is part of the Palestinian delegation at the peace talks and two others of the centre's staff provide administrative support for it.
The centre was founded in 1988 after the start of the intifada. Its first director was deported.
The centre has three main areas of work. It puts out weekly reports on events in Israel and the occupied territories, together with more substantial briefing papers addressing a foreign audience; it conducts tours of the territories and refugee camps; and it makes video documentaries.
Like all the Arabic press in both Israel and the occupied territories, the centre's publications are censored. The centre is careful to meet the legal requirements in order to be able to continue its work. It draws heavily on the local press, translating it into terms suitable for a foreign audience. Despite the fact that its sources have already been censored, the JMCC must still submit its publications to the censor. Because of their professionalism, they have had few difficulties.
Palestinian journalists must submit to the same restrictions on their movements faced by all Palestinians. While Israeli settlers in the occupied territories have Israeli cards and can go anywhere in Israel, including Jerusalem, Palestinian journalists from the occupied territories cannot enter Jerusalem without a special pass. Walid, though he has an international press card, must apply for and meet the conditions of this special pass, which could be withdrawn at any time.
While the Arab Journalists Association is licensed by the Israelis, holders of its card might not be permitted through the check points. Even holders of cards from the International Federation of Journalists will sometimes be prevented from passing through. Only holders of the Israeli government press card are regularly recognised, and Palestinians cannot easily obtain this while Israelis get it routinely on the spot. Despite holding references from the BBC, Walid has not been able to obtain one for over six months. No reason has been given for this denial.
Most filming is done by foreign crews, though they are not allowed in the occupied territories. Any area can be declared a closed area. Foreigners must submit their film or video to the Israeli Government Press Office and are checked when they leave the country. Journalists are in considerable danger. In 1989 a WTN reporter was shot, and earlier this year Walid was accompanying a sound man who was shot by a rubber bullet in Jerusalem. US reporters from CNN and ABC filmed the incident, and Walid says it was clearly deliberate.
This intimidation and restriction of the media is an inevitable feature of a repressive regime which denies the national and human rights of a whole people. Only when these rights are restored, will freedom of the media be possible in Israel/Palestine.