Getting the truth out

Palestinian journalists go against all odds to bear witness to the Israeli occupation army's crimes, for their people and for the world, writes Serene Assir from Gaza and the West Bank

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A Palestinian boy braves the wrath of the Israeli occupation forces and hoists a Palestinian flag in protest against the construction of a section of the apartheid wall in the outskirts of the village of Iskaka near the Jewish West Bank settlement of Ariel

In a report issued on the fourth anniversary of the start of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, the International Press Institute stated: "Since the beginning of the violent crisis in Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, and the areas under Palestinian Authority rule on 28 September, 2000, journalists have featured heavily among the victims. So far, 12 have been killed, scores injured, some for life."

"For us, the risks we take are not consequent to our professionalism," the Palestinian News Agency WAFA Managing Editor Saad Al- Gharrawi told Al-Ahram Weekly. "We take those risks because it is our national duty as Palestinians. It is purely because of the occupation and the incursions that we must be alert, ready to inform the people of events in their areas, otherwise who will provide them with this information? They need to know what is happening, and our news teams must be solid enough to deal with this responsibility."

Indeed, Palestinian society has become highly mediatised because of the occupation. Traditionally, radios have provided a constant flow of information on events in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Now, television -- particularly following the establishment of satellite channels such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya -- has taken over.

In the Gaza Strip alone, according to United Nations statistics, 98 per cent of the population has access to a TV set in their homes, and many homes are equipped with more than one set, despite the fact that 40 per cent live below the poverty line. First-grade mobile phone technology is also readily available and widely used, to the degree that it is not uncommon for a Palestinian to own two or three handsets with separate lines. Many rely on this technology to remain informed, as friends, colleagues and neighbours warn each other of impending attacks or problems, and as many handsets are fitted with radios. At any rate, Palestinians need to be constantly within reach of information for their own and their families' safety.

"Whenever there is an incursion, me and the cameraman, we've got to be there to shoot what's happening," Hamdi, Turkish News Agency IHA media assistant, told the Weekly. "We wear flack jackets and helmets to protect our front, back and head, and it's still not safe. It's clear by our clothing and equipment that we're media workers, and still they shoot at us."

"The protective clothing is not totally effective -- certain parts of our chest are not covered, our arms and legs, and of course our faces are still easy targets. The story of one of my colleagues is particularly telling," said Imran, IHA cameraman. "A sniper aimed and shot at the 10cm squared area between the shoulder and the chest which has no protection, and killed him. There is no denying that the killing was intentional."

Not withstanding the journalists work long hours, and are for the most part extremely dedicated. "For us it is our way of taking part in the muqawama, or national struggle, against the occupation and to fight for our rights as Palestinian citizens. That is why, as you have probably noticed, on the ground there is very little competition, and certainly very little secrecy or egoism," Al-Gharrawi told the Weekly.

Indeed, Palestinian journalists are highly cooperative, amongst each other and with foreign reporters. Communication is open among colleagues, in particular with those in other parts of the territories. "We have, for example, four correspondents in Rafah. As the Israeli incursions come in the form of surprise attacks for the most part, each one of our reporters lives in a different area of the city, and each is at a different entry point. That way, if and when an incursion is staged, the one who is there knows as soon as it's about to begin, he tells the others immediately as well as the agency's headquarters in Gaza City, and he informs other news agencies just to get the word out and minimise the danger," Al- Gharrawi added.

In addition, what adds to the need for Palestinian journalists to be generous with the information or scoops they pick up is the fact that, as Palestinian citizens, their mobility is highly limited. A Gaza-based reporter will need to undergo a lengthy procedure to travel to the West Bank, and when the checkpoints are closed -- as is currently the case -- any application procedures for permits are rendered even more lengthy and unlikely to bear fruit than is usually the case. "My Palestinian colleague is one of the best," said Elias, a Palestine-based Associated Press photographer from Greece. "But he cannot move from here, so we foreigners need to do all the travelling for him."

"And in order to find out what's going on in Gaza, I need to have solid, reliable contacts, and over the years, and with shared experience, they become friends," Bethlehem- based reporter Alaa told the Weekly. "And don't forget, we don't only rely on reporters for our information-gathering. Among my close friends are, for example, the deceased president's personal bodyguards. The occupation has made us friends, because we constantly see each other. The situation is abnormal, we are in a constant state of emergency, and there is always something to cover."

And rather than hiding information, the political aides offer it up themselves. While it was initially announced to the public that Yasser Arafat's body would be taken to Gaza from Egypt, it was his closest guards who belied the rumour -- they got in touch with the local press, who in turn told the world that the helicopter would land in Ramallah, where thousands of Palestinians received him.

"Information is out in the open here," freelancer Mohamed told the Weekly. "We're under occupation, we must at least have freedom of expression and information." This "freedom" transcends criticism of the occupation and also continually monitors the Palestinian Authority, and exposes scandals involving nepotism, over- centralisation of power or financial corruption while providing media space to opposition groups.

It also transcends the confines of words or images -- information is shared with foreign journalists, in a bid "for the Palestinians to redress the negative image that Israel seeks to portray. The West needs to know what the Israeli army does, and so our journalists work closely with foreign agencies in order to help our cause," Al- Gharrawi said.

And it may be part and parcel of a society which is so focussed on ending the illegal Israeli occupation that it is common to find members of Fatah, Islamic Jihad and Hamas living under one roof to create a free and open media. "But for us, the most important thing is the truth, whatever shape it may take, not whose name goes published," Al-Gharrawi added.

"For us, when we lose one of our photographers or reporters, it's just as bad as it is for the Israelis to lose a plane or a tank. And the Israelis know it," Maher Rayis, Palestinian Satellite Channel head, told the Weekly. "Good journalists are, in themselves, formidable weapons in the fight against injustice." For in Palestine, good reporting can save lives.