📰 Media Literacy

Why This Matters

Media framing shapes public perception. Biased language dehumanizes Palestinians and obscures the reality of genocide, occupation, and apartheid.

Western media coverage of Palestine is systematically biased. It dehumanizes Palestinian victims, obscures power dynamics and occupation, uses passive voice to avoid accountability, frames genocide as “conflict,” and lacks historical context.

Common Problems (Propaganda Techniques)

1. Passive Voice for Palestinian Deaths

Biased: “Palestinians died in Gaza.” Accurate: “Israeli forces killed Palestinians in Gaza.” Passive voice removes agency and accountability, making genocide seem inevitable or accidental rather than the result of deliberate military actions.

2. “Conflict” Framing

Biased: “Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” Accurate: “Israeli military occupation,” “Israel’s system of apartheid,” “Genocide.” “Conflict” implies two equal sides fighting, obscuring the massive power imbalance and the reality of military occupation and genocide.

3. Lack of Historical Context

Articles report current violence without explaining 56+ years of military occupation, illegal settlements, blockade of Gaza, international law violations. Without context, Palestinian resistance appears unprovoked rather than response to occupation and genocide.

4. Double Standards in Language

For Israelis: “killed” (active voice), named with ages and families, photos shown, humanizing details. For Palestinians: “died” (passive voice), numbers without names, graphic photos, dehumanizing language (“militants,” “terrorists”).

5. Disproportionate Coverage

Israeli casualties receive more coverage despite Palestinians suffering far more deaths. Israeli narratives quoted more frequently. Palestinian voices marginalized or absent.

6. Uncritical Repetition of Israeli Military Claims

Israeli military claims repeated without verification. “Hamas uses human shields” stated as fact without evidence. Palestinian accounts dismissed as “claims” or “allegations.”

Major Reports on Media Bias

CfMM Report on Media Bias: Gaza 2023-24 - Centre for Media Monitoring exposes disparity in language and framing, Israeli narratives favored over Palestinian, dehumanizing language for Palestinians, passive voice used for Palestinian deaths.

Why Journalists are Speaking out Against Western Media Bias - Al Jazeera Media Institute analysis reveals biased language dehumanizes Palestinian victims, selective framing humanizes Israeli victims, systematic patterns across major outlets.

A Closer Look at Media Bias - The Wire examines “dead” vs “killed” language analysis, framing differences, need for balanced coverage.

CJPME: Common Media Missteps - Canadian analysis of how media distorts coverage with specific examples from Canadian outlets, pattern documentation, how to challenge bias.

How to Be a Critical Media Consumer

1. Check Sources: Who is reporting? What’s their track record on Palestine? Do they quote Palestinian sources? Is there on-ground reporting or just Israeli military briefings?

2. Look for Primary Sources: Prefer UN reports, human rights organizations (HRW, Amnesty, B’Tselem), international law experts, direct Palestinian testimony. Not just government claims, military briefings, anonymous “officials.”

3. Notice Language: Red flags—passive voice for Palestinian deaths, “conflict” without mentioning occupation, “militants” for all Palestinian casualties, “complex” or “both sides” framing, lack of international law context.

4. Seek Palestinian Voices: Are Palestinians quoted? Do they speak for themselves? Or are they only described by others?

5. Understand Power Dynamics: Israel is a military superpower with advanced weapons, backed by US. Palestine is under military occupation, no army, no state. This is NOT equal “conflict”—it’s occupation and genocide.

6. Follow the Money: Who funds this media outlet? Do they have ties to governments or corporations with interests? Are there conflicts of interest?

Reliable News Sources

Palestinian/Arab Media: Middle East Eye (independent news, Palestinian voices centered, in-depth analysis), +972 Magazine (Israeli-Palestinian independent journalism, critical perspectives, investigative reporting), Mondoweiss (American perspective, progressive analysis, Palestinian voices), Electronic Intifada (Palestinian perspective, advocacy journalism), Al Jazeera English - Palestine (comprehensive coverage, on-ground reporting, documentaries).

Human Rights Organizations: Human Rights Watch - Palestine (documented investigations, international law framework), Amnesty International - Palestine (human rights violations, campaign updates, research reports), B’Tselem (Israeli human rights organization, data on violations, critical of occupation).

United Nations: UN OCHA (humanitarian situation updates, verified data, access restrictions), UNRWA (Palestinian refugee agency, situation reports, aid updates).

Social Media - Palestinian Journalists: Eye on Palestine (Instagram/Twitter), Quds News Network, Motaz Azaiza (Gaza-based photojournalist). Full list →

Challenge Media Bias

Report Biased Coverage - CJPME Media Accountability Project: Sign up as Media Responder to join network countering biased reporting. Report Online Hate (anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, anti-Muslim). Check Active Media Alerts for current campaigns challenging specific outlets.

Recent campaigns: Challenge Toronto Star, Challenge CBC For Promoting Israeli Army Propaganda, Challenge Calgary Herald/Sun.

Write Letters to Editor: Submit within 24-48 hours of article, 150-250 words, one clear point, personal perspective, local angle if possible, follow paper’s guidelines.

Template: “Dear Editor, Regarding [article title] (Date), I was concerned by [specific issue: passive voice/lack of context/etc.]. [Explain the problem with specific example from article]. [Provide accurate framing or missing context]. As a [your connection: student/community member/etc.], I expect [newspaper name] to provide balanced coverage that includes Palestinian voices and acknowledges the power imbalance of military occupation and genocide. Sincerely, [Your name], [Your city]”

Submit Op-Eds: 600-800 words, strong argument with evidence, personal stake/expertise, timely hook, solution-oriented. Process: check paper’s op-ed guidelines, write compelling piece, submit to opinion editor, follow up after 1 week.

Full media engagement guide →

Examples: Biased vs. Accurate Framing

Example 1: Casualties

❌ Biased: “20 Palestinians died in Gaza today as violence continues.”

✅ Accurate: “Israeli airstrikes killed 20 Palestinians in Gaza today, including 8 children. Israel has maintained a military blockade of Gaza since 2007.”

Example 2: Settlements

❌ Biased: “Israelis and Palestinians clash over disputed territory.”

✅ Accurate: “Palestinian residents protested Israeli settlement expansion on their land. Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law (Geneva Conventions).”

Example 3: Resistance

❌ Biased: “Hamas militants fired rockets at Israel.”

✅ Accurate: “Palestinian armed groups in Gaza fired rockets toward Israel. Palestinians have been under Israeli military occupation since 1967 and Gaza has been under blockade since 2007.”

Example 4: Context

❌ Biased: “Violence erupted between Israelis and Palestinians.”

✅ Accurate: “Clashes erupted after Israeli forces raided the occupied West Bank city, continuing a military occupation that has lasted over 50 years.”

Platforms Suppress Palestinian Content: Shadowbanning (limiting reach without notification), account suspensions (temporary or permanent), content removal (posts deleted), delayed posts (content appears hours later during critical moments).

Counter Censorship: Engage heavily with Palestinian content (like, comment, share). Report censorship when you see it. Use multiple platforms—don’t rely on one. Archive important content—screenshot before it’s deleted. Support platform alternatives.

Resource: 7amleh - Arab Center for Social Media Advancement works to protect digital rights and counter censorship.

Take Action

Become a Media Responder: Sign up with CJPME Media Accountability Project. Monitor one major outlet for biased coverage. Write one letter to editor this month. Share one corrective post on social media. Report censorship when you see it.

Support Accurate Reporting: Follow Palestinian journalists. Share articles from reliable sources. Engage with (like, comment) Palestinian content. Cite accurate sources in conversations. Challenge misinformation when you see it.

Resources

Learn more: CJPME Media Accountability Project, Palestine Portal Media Resources, Institute for Middle East Understanding: Media How-To.

Take action: Challenge specific outlets →, Campus media engagement guide →, Op-ed strategy →.

Questions? Email mail@berryhouse.ca

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. 🇵🇸