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Newsletter I'lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel April 2004 Issue 1 Achievements 2003…4

From the Director Media does not have the power to engender justice or reconciliation, but it can cultivate just values and convictions through its messages. So it is crucial to formulate and approach these messages with great caution. This is a complicated endeavor, because there are no clear professional standards or consensus on basic professional training. There are no professional restrictions about entering the profession and no fixed criteria to analyze its products. What makes the field even more complicated is that there is no consensus between societies about the norms and the ethics of the profession, even amongst journalists in specific societies there is no agreement. And to make this more complicated, the role of media, which is also determined within local political, social and cultural contexts, has a significant impact in the international realm. So how could we mediate between global role and local interests; between regional disputes and local discourses? It seems that old answers are still valid for new questions. The old and classical obligations of the media are still adequate to answer current and modern challenges: to create an informed citizenry, and to identify and alert the public to the misuse of power. Through these obligations -universal, classical and still very current onesmedia can reconcile local interests and universal values: justice, freedom, and human rights. By informed citizenry we mean citizens knowledgeable also about others’ reality. By abuse of power we mean also those sorts of power, which are exerted by our own regimes upon others. By believing in these obligations we must then stick to professional norms and ethics that allow and advance the practical implementation of such obligations. I’lam thus believes that the norms of the profession are

Upcoming Events….4 Announcements…... 4 Board/Staff………. 4

In this Issue…. From the Director…1 About I’lam…… ….. 1 New Funding…… …2 Position Paper… ….. 2 Journalist Training….2 Co-Financing…… …3 Media Graduates……3 Journalist Forum… …3 1

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Newsletter I'lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel an outcome of the function and the role of the media and not the opposite. We oppose dogmatic adherence to certain definitions of professional norms. Definitions should not be taken for granted. After all, the impact of professional norms is part of the ethical and social responsibility of the media. Haneen Zoubi, General Director

About I’LAM…

I’LAM has two major programs: The “Empowerment Program” aims to strengthen the commitment of Arab media institutions to democratic values and to increase the capacity and the professionalism of Arab journalists, media practitioners, and media institutions. An important goal of this program is to encourage and support Arab journalists in their attempt to organize themselves. In addition, I’LAM offers media training and workshops to different target groups such as Arab journalists, media teachers and students, Arab NGOs and local municipalities, civil society actors, and community members. Our Production Center offers a unique opportunity to the Arab society in Israel to build its skills and to acquire practical experience with audiovisual equipment. The “Media Rights Program” focuses on Israeli media coverage, laws and regulations conducting media monitoring, analysis and advancing recommendations to democratize the media landscape and media policies in Israel, to reach fair allocation of resources, and to increase the participation of Arab professionals, media people, and scholars in decision making agencies. In addition, we encourage the Israeli media to move beyond echoing the government’s standpoint and to improve the quality of the Israeli media coverage. Together with other media organizations and journalists from the Hebrew media, I’LAM aims to bring about a sustainable and holistic improvement of the Israeli media system.

I’LAM, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel is a unique civil society initiative dedicated to analyze and strengthen the relationship between media and democracy in Israel. We reach this by empowering the Arab media landscape and by democratizing Israeli media policies and practices, influencing Israeli media institutions to adopt more professional and unbiased standards in their coverage of Arab citizens of Israel. With its commitment to media democracy, expertise, professionalism, and high level of staff motivation, I’LAM plays a role in invigorating civil society and promoting democracy and human rights within the Arab society in Israel, the Israeli society, and the Israeli political system through its media institutions. I’LAM was founded in 2000 by a group of Arab journalists, and academics. The events of October 2000 shaped the early work of the organization, as it sought to document the massive violence used against Arab demonstrators and the role of the media in this period. The tragic outcome: Thirteen citizens were killed and hundreds injured. The Israeli media for its part legitimized, to a large extent, such use of violence. “Responsible and Professional Media” program which aims to I'lam's Media Project Accepted Under develop local Arab media, EU Human Rights Program enhance the quality and The I’LAM Media Center was coverage of human rights, and recently awarded funding from bring attention to the condition of the European Initiative for the Arab minority in Israel. Democracy and Human Rights. Moreover, the project aims to The funds will support I’lam's new improve the dissemination of 2

information and knowledge about human rights and to empower the Arab society in its relationship with the media. The project adopts a holistic approach, addressing the issue of responsible media at the local, national and political levels. Activities include:

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Newsletter I'lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel 

Media Monitoring and Media Surveys

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A Forum of Journalists

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Intensive Training for Palestinian Journalists

Arab

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Codes of Practices

Best

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Legal Media Advice

Ethics

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I'LAM's Responsible and Professional Media project was accepted under a worldwide call for proposals under the theme of 'Support for Democratisation, Good Governance and the Rule of Law." Of a total of 580 proposals that were received, I'LAM's was selected as one of the 50 organizations to receive funds. The EIDHR grant will be activated on May 3, 2004, World Press Freedom Day. This is significant for both I’LAM and its funders, as this date is recognized, worldwide, as an occasion to publicize violations of freedom expression and the importance of a free press.

I’lam Position Paper Released Democratic Reforms Demanded The media, as the most powerful “ideological political and cultural” influence on Israeli public opinion, occupies a critical post in the democratic landscape. The main role of the public media in Israel, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Law is to represent the Jewish society, to reinforce the Jewish culture, and to establish a bond between Jews living in Israel and those living in the Diaspora. Israeli Broadcast Laws blatantly ignore Arab citizens of Israel, their culture and identity, and neglect the essential commitments and role of the media as promoter of democracy, civil society, and pluralism. Israeli media in general, including the public service media, disregards the Arab citizens of Israel as an audience. Moreover, they fail to recognize Arab citizens as belonging to Israeli civil society. Thus, only a small fraction of public radio and television’s programming is intended for the Arab citizens of Israel, and even a lower percentage of the programs treat issues of importance to the Arab society. Furthermore, Arabs comprise approx. 1% of the total number of people working within the Israeli media and are almost non-existent in either media or media-related high-ranking administrative positions. Owing to the fact that 50% of the Arab public in Israel lives below

the poverty line, and 100% of the Arabs in Israeli are ranked within the lowest socio-economic index, the economic capabilities of the Arab society in Israel prevent their investment in diverse media outlets such as the planned Arabic commercial channel. In its unilateral policy and practice, the International Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has marginalized the Arab citizens of Israel – who constitute over 18% of the population.

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Newsletter I'lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel To establish a public Arabic channel  To include Arab experts and professionals at all levels of media, including decisionmaking positions To date, no response has been received either from the IBA or the Dinur Commission. However, a number of media researchers and Knesset Members did respond positively forwarding their support. If you would like to support this position paper, contact the I'LAM Center at [email protected].  The Israeli press’ exclusion of the Arabs and its unbalanced practices stand in violation to both national and international legal obligations. Israel is, for example, a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which requires the country to protect freedom of speech. In 2003, the Dinur Commission was created to formulate and provide reform suggestions to the Israeli Broadcast Authority. To aid this Commission in its efforts to guide democratic reform, the I’LAM Center, outlined its most immediate concerns and recommendations regarding the state of Israeli Broadcast Authority reform. In February of 2004, the I’lam Position Paper was sent to the Dinur Commission, the IBA and a number of influential media figures. In this paper I’LAM affirms its position that, in order to ensure the role of the media in the advancement of democracy, the Israeli Broadcast Authority must initiate and promote efforts towards a more pluralistic, transparent and balanced media system. Among the recommendations were the following: 

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To implement a proportional professional quota in the Israeli Broadcast Authority To consider the Arabs in Israel as a target audience of public service programming 4 P.O. BOX 101, 16000 NAZARETH TEL. ++972-4-6001370, FAX. ++972-4-6001418, E-MAIL: [email protected],

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Newsletter I'lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel Training Opportunities at I'LAM In its ongoing effort to build the skills and capabilities of the Arab society in Israel, the I’LAM Center has piloted several recent training programs. From September to December 2003, we hosted a series of media training workshops for local civil society representatives. The workshops consisted of seven 4 – 6 hour session and two full day sessions led by professionals such as Linda Lovitch from Linda Lovitch Communications, and Robert Bray from the SPIN Project in California. In late 2003, I’lam offered the first “Premiere Training Course”. This course, created in response to requests from local media teachers, is led by media professionals and provides hands on training in Adobe Premiere, and other state-of-the-art video editing software. I'LAM also provides media training for students from the local Nazareth High School. The courses, which overview the fundamentals of research, filming and editing, provide these students with the basic skills to produce a documentary film. The training, now in its second month, brings the students to the I’LAM Center, once a week for three hours. Safa Adawi, a freelance journalist with the I’LAM Center has guided the students as they work to prepare two documentary films.

Intensive Training for Local Arab Journalists at I’LAM I’LAM is pleased to announce the Intensive Training Program for Arab Journalists, which will be launched shortly. This program, funded by the EU Initiative for Human Rights and Democracy, will provide 10-15 Arab journalists in Israel with intensive training in written journalism, human rights and investigative reporting. The 9 month long program will include theoretical courses in Arab-Palestinian History, Human Rights and Gender Studies, as well as practical courses in such

areas as Journalistic Technique and Investigative Journalism. The participants will participate in a one-month internship with a major Arabic-language newspaper in Europe. This internship is designed to allow Arab journalists first-hand knowledge of a large and very professional media institution. There, the participants will be exposed to critical processes such as decision making and policy implementation. Arab journalists participating in this intensive training will be expected to actively participate in reporting and submit, at the conclusion of the internship, a report to I’LAM. Development and Empowerment: I'LAM Trains Local Organizations The Development and Empowerment Project, supported 5

by the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the European Commission, allows I'LAM to provide media training for local partners. These local organizations participate in the process of researching, filming and producing a documentary. In early 2003, I’LAM began work with the first of its’ co-financing project partners, the Laqiya Women Association in the Negev. Hanna Shamas, a practical trainer with I’LAM, worked directly with the women of Laqiya, providing 100 hours of practical training. Forty hours of theoretical training were provided by experts from the fields of media, human and minority rights, and artistic expression among others. This training included sessions on the basics of shooting and editing as well as the artistic requirements of film and the use of music. At the completion of the training, the Laqiya Women Association produced a 12 minute profile film on the organizations activities. This film was taken to Germany for screening in November 2003. I'LAM has planned, according to the original proposal, the training of 3 additional organizations to be completed by January 2006. Forum of Graduates The Forum of Graduate Students of Communications, launched in October 2003, offers Arab students of journalism a valuable venue to share their experiences, resources and training and

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Newsletter I'lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel creates an opportunity for professional journalists to reach out to students. In past sessions, professionals such as Jalal Bana, editor at Radio Shams, and Marwan Athamla, reporter for Channel 2 shared their experiences with the students. In the most recent session, attended by nearly 30 students, journalist Toli Shergi lectured on the fundamentals of investigative reporting. The students are currently completing reports on such topics as “Arab employment in Private Israeli Companies”, “The Arab ‘Brain Drain’ from Israel”, and “The Motivations of Arab Volunteers within the Israeli Police Force.” In future sessions, the Forum of Graduates has planned the creation of a newspaper to be guided by journalist and I'LAM Board Member, Wadea Awawdy.

dissemination of accurate information about Arab citizens in Israel. Furthermore, the forum turned to address a number of major concerns to the media community. Foremost among these issues was the flight of Arab viewers to foreign media.

Forum of Journalists The first Forum of Journalists convened on March 12, 2004. In this meeting, 36 Arab journalists gathered to discuss the I’LAM Center’s proposal for a permanent Forum and the potential role of the forum. The participants enumerated a number of central aims for the forum: to develop professional training programs, to formulate position papers about media ethics, to develop networks with Arab and foreign journalists, to develop critical dialogue and cooperation with Jewish journalists, and to promote the 6 P.O. BOX 101, 16000 NAZARETH TEL. ++972-4-6001370, FAX. ++972-4-6001418, E-MAIL: [email protected],

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Newsletter I'lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel than 40 hours intensive training designed to develop media capabilities to civil society representatives and community members. In addition, I’LAM offered a series of courses aimed at improving the media capacities of media teachers and students, civil society actors, and community members in the usage of audiovisual equipment. I’LAM is grateful for the support of its funders, including the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Heinrich Boell Foundation, the Open Society Institute, and the New Israel Fund, without which such success would not have been realized.

Recent Achievements At this point, I’LAM would like to take the opportunity to highlight some of the organizations’ accomplishments of the past year. In 2003, the organization realized significant developments in the fields of empowerment and media rights, outreach and networking, organizational structure and funding. Through our training and media consultation activities, I’LAM reached around 200 beneficiaries. In terms of outreach, we reached more than 400 beneficiaries through our different activities and dissemination of information. In funding, I’LAM welcomed, for the first time, the support of Open Society Institute which has granted the Center $50,000 for one year. I’LAM was also pleased to receive increased support from the Swiss Embassy (from $30,000 to $40,000) to support our Advocacy programming. In addition to this expanded support, I’LAM participated at four international media activities, among others the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva, and International Seminar on “The Role of the Media in Peace Building”, organized by the European Center for Conflict Prevention in Amsterdam. Furthermore, I’LAM was able to strengthen cooperation with new and existing partners. Equally as important, I'LAM has cultivated direct relationships with 40 Arab journalists as well as a number of Arab media teachers, Israeli media researchers and Israeli media decision makers. Moreover, the organization has established an international network in which I'LAM enjoys a direct partnership with more than 25 leading NGOs. In advocacy, I’LAM concentrated its energies on a number of critical issues such as the proposed establishment of a Commercial Channel in Arabic. On May 5, 2003, I’lam conducted a very successful roundtable. Twenty eight media people attended to this event, among them professors, media teachers, and journalists The Center has been equally succesful in its empowerment programming. I’lam provided more 7

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Newsletter I'lam, Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel Announcements

Safa Adawi, Freelancer Yathreb Zoubi, Media Monitoring Staff Nayera Nqula, Media Monitoring Staff Rana Fahoum, Media Monitoring Staff Dr. Amal Jamal, Researcher Jennifer Scott, Research and Development

We moved! In September of 2003 the I’LAM office moved from its original location on Habankem Street in Haifa to its new office in Nazareth. The new location has allowed I’LAM unprecedented access to the Arab Palestinian media. Nazareth, home to the largest Arab population in Israel, has offered the organization increased access to more Arab schools, journalists, and facilities. The new address is: Road 720 (16014), House No. 4, POB 101, Nazareth 16000 Upcoming Events 1. Forum of Journalists Date: April 24, 2004 Location: I’LAM Center 2. Day Tour for Editors and Journalists Date: April 30, 2004 Location: Tour will convene at the I’LAM Center 3. Responsible and Professional Media Project Reception Date: May 3, 2004 Location: I’LAM Center BOARD Wadea Awawdy, Journalist Rana Balan, Media Teacher Marzouk Halabi, Group Facilitator/Media Expert Mustafa Kabaha, Ph.D., Media Lecturer, Aemez Israel Anton Shalhat, Journalist and Editor STAFF Haneen Zoubi, General Director Heidi Paredes, Development Director Kholod Mashalha, Empowerment Program Coordinator Nadim Natour, Production Center Coordinator Hanna Shames, Pratical Trainer

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