PR and media activism: it works!

[Vic]

Re-educating CNN:

Give CNN credit, when due
By Reuven Koret June 25, 2002

http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=ViewsPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El1167&enZone=Views&enVersion=0&

[Vic]

The counterattack:

http://www.pmwatch.org/pmw/index.asp

Blatant double standards and pandering at CNN

June 24, 2002 -- In the most blatant display yet of double standards in its treatment of innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilian victims of the violence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, CNN has decided to air a five part special all this week focusing on the toll the violence has had on Israelis and Israeli society sign that it has anything similar in the works about Palestinian victims.
...They are actually organizing a protest in front of the CNN headquarters, this is the flyer: http://www.pmwatch.org/pmw/images/cnnprotest.gif
:rolleyes:

[cerulean]

CNN's efforts are attracting some backlash. The organization "Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting," which to my knowledge used to focus on anti-liberal bias, is complaining about the use of the word "neighborhood," in respect to the bus bombings last week in Jerusalem. They don't like the terms "neighborhood of Gilo" and "neighborhood of French Hill," which is what CNN used, but want "settlement" to be used instead (or even better "illegal settlement). There is also a media critic named "Ali Abunimah" who is complaining to NPR (National Public Radio in the US) about the same thing.

Thus, it's probably a good idea to let CNN and NPR know that you appreciate the use of the word "neighborhood" in these instances, because it's quite clear they are receiving enormous pressure not to use it.

(The reason I ended up getting this press release is because some woman I slightly know got my email address and spams political press releases (of a liberal/radical bent) to everyone in her address book. This is the first anti-Israeli one I've gotten. On the one hand, I want to tell her I'm offended; on the other hand, I'm thinking if it would be best to continue getting the mailings so I can see what is being distributed.)

[Vic]

FAIR does produce some sound media criticism, but only on subjects not related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Their site http://www.fair.org is a fine "anti-imperialism of fools" case study. Pity. They could do better.

[cerulean]

CNN has a human-interest young people on the street in Jerusalem type of story:

Israeli youth: 'I don't want to die today'
http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/06/28/vot.terror.five/index.html

Some interviews with survivors of suicide attacks.
I've now seen several human-interest stories about Israel in the past month in various media sources.

[Vic]

This may be a good start. Or not. What they have to do now is to address the broader political context. Let's hope they won't shy away from it.

[Vic]

The CNN still has a long way to go, according to this article:

This is CNN?
By Alan Perlman
http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=ViewsPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El1184&enZone=Views&enVersion=0&

Which makes me wonder whether someone has already tried to communicate this criticism to the CNN directly - in a friendly manner.

[cerulean]

This article, from the July 15 issue, might be seen as a balanced look at reservists. Their actions are cast in terms of the fight against terror, which is an analogy that makes sense to Americans.

http://msnbc.com/news/777065.asp?0dm=C22HN
A Shark Hunt In The Night
On patrol with Israeli reservists, hunting suicide bombers and fighting fires, the danger is clearer than the ultimate resolution—even to the soldiers. An exclusive NEWSWEEK visit to the front lines of their war on terror.
...