Politic?

This is a blog dedicated to a personal interpretation of political news of the day. I attempt to be as knowledgeable as possible before commenting and committing my thoughts to a day's communication.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Interesting Development

So we learn through the news media that an English-language newspaper published specifically for Palestinians is set to make its debut. Good on them. The purpose of the publication, it is stated, is to ensure that the Palestinian viewpoint is available to both Palestinians at large and to the world.

Heretofore Palestinian issues have been seen through the lens of Western reporters. Interesting observation that; I've read far more news reportage through various sources in the West which displayed an obvious bias on behalf of the Palestinians than for Israel. It would therefore seem to me that the Palestinian point of view is more than adequately aired.

One wonders about the content of such a newspaper, under these observed circumstances. Will this be a sincere attempt at neutrality? Or will it continue to be a skewed type of reportage, reflective of most Arab news media. Skewed? Well, that's rather a kind descriptive of what generally turns out to be rabidly anti-Semitic, anti-"Zionist", anti-Israel venom reported for internal Arab delectation, watered down somewhat in English-language versions for the world at large.

Al-Jazeera, which claims to practise neutral, objective journalism, generally does a relatively fair job of their reportage, but they don't see anything amiss in printing articles by rabid anti-Semites, as though these too demonstrate sound and legitimate news reporting. To the present time, Al-Jazeera, viewed throughout the Middle East, including Israel, and beamed to Europe and North America represents the most balanced type of reporting coming from the Middle East.

Will this new printed news outlet make any attempt at fairness? It's interesting to note that the new paper already has secured permission to distribute within Israel. One wonders, do any of its English-language Israeli counterparts have like permission to distribute in any Arab countries? Doubt it. If we're looking at even-handed reporting, and most observers of the passing scene are agreed that this is what history-in-the-making requires, the brand-spanking-new newspaper could attempt to emulate its Israeli counterparts.

Which would be to criticize where criticism is due. To bring to light all matters, favourable and unfavourable to their cause. All in the interests of fair play, a display of journalistic ethics, and shining the light of truth into dark corners. Israeli news media have never been particularly loathe to bring their country's politicians to task when this is just due. Wouldn't it be a breath of fresh air to see an Arab-published newspaper produce even a modicum of fairness in reportage?

Won't be long now, before we can begin to judge for ourselves. Intriguing, is it not?

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