Media Monitoring: Words Can Kill, Too

The media plays a key role in shaping public consciousness and the public discourse, especially in areas that are beset by violent conflict.  The project "Words Can Kill, Too" is carried out jointly by Keshev, on the Israeli side, and Miftah, on the Palestinian side.  Supported by the European Union, this project monitors how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is covered in the Israel and Palestinian media.  This initiative seeks to change patterns of media coverage in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority that give expression to prejudice, incitement and defamation, misrepresentation, de-legitimization and dehumanization of the other side.

Daily Monitoring of the Media

Keshev monitors reports in the mainstream Israeli media on a daily basis and examines how specific issues in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict are covered.  Monitoring is based on an established methodology and the subjects for examination are clearly defined.  Keshev maintains contact with Israeli media editors to try to change problematic patterns of coverage.  In parallel, the Palestinian organization Mitah monitors the Palestinian media.   

Publication of Periodic Reports and Daily Responses

Within the framework of this project, Keshev and Miftah publish periodic reports in Hebrew, Arabic and English that contain findings and analyses of media coverage on selected topics.  In cases of problematic coverage, the two organizations directly approach the editors and reporters involved and bring the issue to public attention. 

Educational Activities and Seminars

Through this project, Keshev will offer seminars for journalists and editors to raise awareness among media practitioners of problematic patterns of coverage.  At these seminars, Keshev will present findings from its monitoring and will recommend alternative approaches.  The educational activities will also include joint encounters between the steering committees on both sides and between Israeli and Palestinian journalists.