The Israeli Palestinian Journalists’ Forum, organised by the International Press Institute (IPI), ended last week in Vienna with agreement on a series of recommendations for the authorities in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and on future steps, including a commitment to fair and balanced reporting.
The IPJF discussions were moderated by seasoned journalist Kjetil Haanes – who has experience in the domain of Israeli-Palestinian media affairs – and involved a diverse group of professional journalists from the Palestinian Territories and Israel. The group included editors and reporters with varying professional backgrounds and experiences.
From 14-16 June 2011, participants held closed-door discussions about press freedom challenges relating to coverage of the Middle East conflict and peace initiatives, and drafted a series of recommendations for the relevant governing authorities. They also discussed ideas for potential follow up activities that could help journalists report on the other side and cooperate on stories, and also included a commitment to even-handed journalism.
Accurate news and information, not just about the conflict but also about everyday life, helps people make informed decisions and propose constructive solutions to the conflict. For this to happen, journalists must commit to reporting objectively, but must also be given the freedom of information, movement and access that they need to carry out their professional duties.
Bearing this in mind, the Forum’s journalists recommends the following to all governing authorities in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza:
• The IPI Israeli Palestinian Journalists’ Forum stresses that freedom of movement is essential for journalists to do their professional work, and calls on the authorities to guarantee freedom of movement for all professional journalists in the region. This includes issuing Government Press Office (GPO) cards to all professional Palestinian journalists, because they are necessary for reporters to enter and cover official events.
• The Forum calls on the authorities to issue the necessary permits to journalists so that they can participate in joint Israeli and Palestinian journalist meetings.
• The Forum stresses the need for access to information and the need for officials to be accessible to all journalists.
• The Forum calls on the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to publish all press statements in both Arabic and Hebrew.
Follow-up action agreed on by the participants underscored “the importance of fair and accurate reporting by journalists on all sides.” Participants agreed to “assist each other in order to improve the practice of journalism.”
An IPJF Steering Committee was formed comprising two Israeli and two Palestinian representatives, and led by IPI’s Press Freedom & Communications Manager.
The Steering Committee will further explore joint follow-up action, including the possibility of future meetings, and young journalists’ training.
The Steering Committee, elected on 16 June 2011, includes
1. Anthony Mills, IPI Press Freedom Manager
2. Taghreed El Khodary (Freelance Journalist, Palestinian Territories)
3. Lily Galili (Journalist, Author, Israel).
4. Mohammed Daraghmeh (Correspondent, AP; Palestinian Territories).
5. Danny Zaken (Chairman, Jerusalem Association of Journalists)
“We are delighted and encouraged by the willingness of these journalists to meet, discuss and help each other overcome the kinds of reporting challenges that they face,” said Alison Bethel McKenzie, IPI Director. “We look forward to continuing to work within the Forum to explore the possibility of holding training for young journalists, and to address professional and press freedom issues that are of importance to Israeli and Palestinian journalists.”
The IPJF was made possible with the generous financial support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Chancellery of Austria, UNESCO, Bank Austria, the Ford Foundation, the Vienna embassies of New Zealand, Cyprus and South Africa, former IPI Director Johann Fritz, and IPI Fellow and former board member Ismaila Isa. IPI is also grateful for the backing of IPI’s Norwegian National Committee.
