From enemies to 'colleagues': Relations between Palestinian journalists and Israeli West Bank beat reporters,1967-1994

Abstract

Using the agenda-building perspective, this study traces the evolving relations between Israeli and Palestinian journalists. It examines group characteristics that affect the Palestinian-Israeli interaction, and identifies key symbols disputants use to gain allies and change the cleavages among different groups. In the process, the study describes how the improved working relations between some Israeli and Palestinian journalists have affected the relations between Palestinian journalists and the Western Press, and altered the pattern of source use in the coverage of the occupied territories. The study concludes, however, that the same human right symbols that influenced Israeli and Western reporters have been less effective with the Israeli mass public.