Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

Live News — A Survival Guide for Journaliststhe primary responsibility for their troubles lies with Israeli militarypersonnel and authorities. However, some Palestinian colleaguesalso question the actions and decisions of Palestinian officialsconcerning media that add to their difficulties."The withdrawal of the Israeli Government Press Office card fromall Palestinian journalists has major implications for internationalcoverage in the area. The IFJ report says: "Until now internationalcorrespondents have been able to use the services of Palestinianmedia support staff, such as camera crews and freelance stills photographerswho generally live in Palestinian areas aroundJerusalem. These colleagues often possess precious local knowledgeand expertise that is essential to the security and efficiencyof media work in the Palestinian areas. They are no longer able tosafely hire these colleagues."In Ramallah: "There was extensive discussion of the appallingconditions in which journalists find themselves: poor wages andworking conditions, constant dangers of targeting or victimisationwhile covering the conflict, a lack of material resources withwhich to work. … The photographers and camera people underlinethe danger of filming from distances, because a person holding acamera on his/her shoulder can easily be mistaken for a sniper andshot at." In Gaza journalists said they felt very isolated.Daniel Seaman, Director of the Israeli Government Press Office,told the mission that although he knew of "perhaps three dozengenuine professionals", the Palestinian media was guilty of incitementto murder Israelis, and that press vehicles were used to smugglearms. The IFJ mission found no independent evidence for this.The IFJ plans to open a media safety centre in the area and toincrease its training and supply of protective equipment. However,it sees little prospect for safe and comprehensive coverage so longas Palestinian journalists are discriminated against. The missionconcluded: "Working conditions for many journalists workingboth in the West Bank and Gaza areas are already intolerablebecause of widespread restrictions on freedom of movementcaused by Israeli occupation. The consequences for journalistic coverageof the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are also dire. Inevitably,when journalists are forced to rely upon telecommunications orother forms of second-hand eyewitness accounts of events, thequality of coverage suffers and the reliability of reporting is severelycompromised."■43