The conflict in Gaza is being fought not only with bombs and bullets but also through the control and spin of information. What is (according to TIME) the most reported-on conflict in human history is also proving to be the most difficult to fact check. All sides of the issue have not only launched full fledged media campaigns, but are also fighting fiercely to control the basic information disseminated to the press. The Israeli government made a series of changes to its media policies: The Jewish Chronicle reports fewer military officers acting as spokespersons, more women spokespersons, and a clearly defined message on the Israeli rationale for taking military action. Israel has also banned international Journalists from entering Gaza and has forbidden soldiers from giving interviews, even taking away cell phones from some. As a result the only journalists able to report from Gaza itself are local journalists who are largely sympathetic to the Palestinina cause. TV broadcasts in Iran, Jordan and Syria are full of graphic images of dead and injured Gaza civilians with broadcasters referring to the casualties as “martyrs”. Major Arab news network Al Jazeera is calling its coverage of the conflict “War on Gaza” with its coverage focusing on the civilian casualties in Gaza. This leaves foreign correspondents, who are unable to report from the war zone, to sift though competing and conflicting sources of information. Al Jazeera also launched an interactive online journalism lab where Gaza residents are able to post stories as they happen. The service is complete with a map showing the incidents as they unfold as well as a “verified” feature to show which reports they have followed up on. The AP reports Israeli television and print media is fully focused on Israeli deaths and injuries, filling TV screens and front pages with Israelis fleeing to bomb shelters, rocket damaged buildings and causality reports.
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Issue: Student Media Culture