It is an all out war, not a conflict. The Israelis have moved in on Gaza and are blowing people to smithereens and HAMAS is using Al Jazeera and Ma'an and other networks to tell its story, the IDF (Israel) is using the Western Media and its local networks to blame the Palestinians.
As journalists, how should we approach this? I have noticed a lack of interest in some parts of the region in the ESTABLISHED media (whatever that now is) to even discuss the issue. For example in Barbados we have the Syrian-Lebanese Community run mainly by energetic, feisty and opinionated women who have much to say about their neighbours Jewish or Palestinian, Iranian, Egyptian, Jordanian and the list goes on; we have a Jewish Community as well, indeed there is a beautiful Jewish synagogue in Bridgetown, Barbados.
I was recently told by a wonderful Jewish man here that I know, that Jewish people are even persecuted in Barbados, I was SHOCKED. It made me think, why can't anyone turn on CBC or read the Nation or the Advocate or the blogs (though I am not a BU or BFP fan) and see any commentary on this destruction in the Middle East. Is this not worthy of investigation.
We all know it is centuries old and as I was reminded by former diplomat and now IMF friend Dennis Jones that this situation is centuries old. Indeed. HAMAS was accused of targeting Israel last year all year and the media did not blitz it but because now TODAY this is an eight day strike more worthy of news and blitzing, we see more on CNN, BBC and other networks both in the Middle East and the Western world. Is this fair to Israel? Is it fair to Gaza? Fairness is not our issue - a balanced story is our job.
It is not a matter of who is right and wrong, that is not our role as journalist but since we have people of the region on our doorstep and in our verandahs having tea and cake, where is the story?? I want to hear how the Jews in the region feel, how the Lebanese/Syrians feel, how the Palestinians feel? How the Arabs feel here in the region watching this unfold. They are in the Caribbean - WHERE IS THE STORY??
It was the same at 9/11 and since. Even recently some Muslims were thrown off an Air Trans flight. No one asked the Muslim community anything here; no one asked the Christian community anything and then I saw PROFILING IN BARBADOS. I heard a man with my own two ears call Muslim women walking their children in Wanstead Gardens "OSAMA BIN LADENS" while I walked past and greeted them "Salaam". If I see a Jewish friend , I say "Shalom".I RESPECT DIFFERENCES despite the highly charged issues. Media workers must have BALANCE! You may be surprised to learn that many Jews, Christians and Muslims get along fine and have many peace projects along the way.
Whither journalism? Well I can blog it (the Middle East WAR) but I want to read it in the established media around the region!
There are bloggers but are we only concerned with parochial issues in the region, while lifting the news off AP, Reuters and other sites? Are we so insular that only what happens in the region is news?
This is 2009, don't we need to get our act together? We also have a new President of the USA in BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA coming in. He said "..if someone was attacking my home with my two daughters in it, I would respond..." (I did not hear the rest) and the Israelis used this to "justify" part of their response. He did say a few days later that there was more need for balance and a proportionate response. But what does this really mean? Does it matter? (someone incidentally correct me if I misunderstood.
The US is historically on the side of the Israelis, should journalists not find out why? It is all historical. Are we lazy or is it not just a "sexy" story, chock full of death, gore, blood, gossip, murder and mayhem or controversy. Well, when kids and moms, indeed anyone is slaughtered on the alter of politics, religion and land, I take up my pen. Will you please take up yous?
Happy New Year 2009
Kim Young MA (Leic)
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