Palestine Media
Watch
P.O. Box 628 Southeastern,
PA 19399
Phone: (610) 993-0608
Coverage
of the Middle East Crisis
In
the Opinion Pages and News Coverage
Of
the Charlotte Observer
April
1, 2002 May 31, 2002
A
Palestine Media Watch Report
Prepared
by: Edith Garwood
Palestine
Media Watch The Charlotte Observer
Table of Contents
Introduction
. 2
Palestine
Media Watch
Mission
.
. 2
Advisory Board members
.
. 2
The Charlotte
Observer
Editorial Board
..
. 3
Foreign/National Desk Editor
..
.. 3
Definition of
terms used in reference to Opinion/Editorial pages
3
Findings
Op/Ed pages
.. 7
Findings
News Coverage
Responsible reporting
7
Concerns
1. and 2. Use of biased terms .
..
. 8
3. and 4. News items from Israeli perspective
..
11
5. Imparity in reporting Palestinian deaths
..
16
6. Inaccurate information printed
..
.....
.. 19
7. Omissions
. 20
8. Incorrect descriptions of settlements
.
. 22
9. Use of politically-loaded terms
.
22
Conclusions
and Suggestions
.
24
References
.. 26
APPENDIX A Pie
Charts/Data Sheets: Op/Ed content
APPENDIX B A Guide: Israeli Settlements in the Occupied
Territories
Foundation
for Middle East Peace
APPENDIX C Land and
Settlements in Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Watch
APPENDIX D Resources
Executive Summary
This report details the findings of Palestine Media Watch
(PMW), which conducted an analysis of how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was
covered by The Charlotte Observer in
their Opinion pages and news articles between April 1, 2002 and May 31,
2002. The purpose of this report is to raise awareness of current news
coverage practices and editorial policies regarding this conflict. Our aim is not
to characterize or label The Charlotte Observer, but to examine its
product and the quality and variety of what it is offering its readership.
PMW found sporadic examples of
responsible reporting during this period: Within news articles, Israeli
statements were being independently verified more often than before, instead of
simply being reported as fact; more human rights organizations and NGOs were
being quoted or referenced; photos showing Palestinian suffering were printed,
and a couple of stories were printed showing Palestinians as more than just
militants, but also as human beings.
While PMW is
encouraged to see the above, our findings have shown an over-whelming bias in
presentation during our period of analysis when a pattern of partiality emerged
regarding coverage of this conflict. Listed
below are our major concerns. Please
refer to report for more details.