UK press 'biased towards Israel'
Saturday, 17 January 2009 12:01 AM
By Ian Dunt
The Israeli ambassador has received 2,000 per cent more media coverage than his Palestinian counterpart by the British media, according to a new report.
According to an Arab Media Watch (AMW) survey, from the time Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor took up his post at the end of 2007 until the end of 2008, there have been 40 items (news articles, commentaries, editorials and letters) either by him, quoting him or mentioning him in British national newspapers.
In contrast, during the same period, Ambassador Hassassian of Palestine has been mentioned only twice in the UK national press - both times in the Guardian, quoted in two articles by Middle East editor Ian Black.
"The non-reportage of Mr Hassassian is particularly regrettable because he is a voice of Palestinian moderation, peace and constructive dialogue," said London-based human rights campaigner Peter Thatchell.
"By denying him coverage, the press is handing a propaganda victory to Israel and Hamas and allowing the hawks on both sides to dominate the public debate."
The group reserved particular concern for the coverage of the Daily Telegraph, saying it provides a frequent platform for Mr Prosor, but refuses to respond to regular correspondence from AMW asking why Mr Hassassian has never appeared in its pages.
"Our findings call into question Prosor's complaint in the Telegraph that 'coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is routinely tainted with bias' against his country," said AMW chairman Sharif Hikmat Nashashibi.
"Prosor's views are clearly and overwhelmingly more prevalent than his Palestinian counterpart."
The conflict in Gaza shows no sign of abating despite comments from UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon that a ceasefire is on the horizon.
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