Heading: Exploring Palestinian Media Landscape Through a Master’s Program Journey
My name is Jada, and I embarked on a journey to Palestine during my holiday break as part of my Master’s program. After participating in a study abroad program with my university in Spring 2019, I was drawn to GoPalestine and had a desire to return to Hebron and Palestine. However, due to the 2020 Pandemic, I redirected my focus towards pursuing my Master’s degree in Northern Ireland this Fall.
Reconnecting with GoPalestine, I planned to immerse myself in Hebron to deepen my understanding of Arabic and explore the realm of Palestinian media. My interest in researching the impact of conflict on media operations and audience relationships for my dissertation fueled my curiosity. While I had previously visited the Old City of Hebron and the Ibrahim Mosque, I yearned to delve deeper into the city beyond the checkpoints bordering the Old City.
Engaging with media executives and professionals in Hebron shed light on various facets of life, culture, economy, and political dynamics in Hebron and the broader Palestinian context. Prior to my arrival, my focus was primarily on the workings of Palestinian media, including mediums, story selection, ethics, and economic and political ties. Despite having some background in Palestinian media, I was uncertain about the operational parallels I would encounter.
During the program, I had the opportunity to visit three radio stations, with plans to explore two more before my departure. Conversations with station executives and professionals unveiled the political pressures, story development processes, production strategies, and economic implications affecting these stations.
Diversifying the media landscape in Palestine, traditional radio is now complemented by the prevalence of news dissemination through social media and online platforms. This shift allows for flexible access to programs and live broadcasts, catering to the convenience of Hebron residents across different age groups. Moreover, it circumvents political constraints and broadens audience reach.
Media in Palestine is subject to scrutiny not only from local viewers but also from the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Professionals I interacted with shared experiences of station closures by the Israeli government and pressures from both authorities regarding broadcast content. Palestinian radio stations on FM waves often face interference from Israeli counterparts seizing control of specific channels.
Furthermore, directors and journalists highlighted the censorship on Facebook pages related to occupation or Palestinian prisoners, leading to content restrictions and the need for innovative broadcasting strategies. Economic challenges also plague media production, with funding sources dwindling post-COVID-19 as companies shift advertising focus to internal marketing.
Despite the hurdles, Palestinian media perseveres amidst the Conflict, adapting to new information dissemination strategies, particularly through social media. However, government and corporate monitoring pose challenges to content creators, journalists, and audiences in the virtual realm.
Delving into Palestinian media prompts reflection on the roles of journalists and audiences within the Conflict’s broader context. The narrative of Palestinian media and its reception by international audiences versus externally driven portrayals raise questions about who holds the narrative power in telling the Palestinian story.