Media and the Path to PeaceThis is the first book to examine in detail the roles that the news media can play in an ongoing peace process. Gadi Wolfsfeld explains how the press's role in such processes varies over time and political circumstance. He examines three major cases: the Oslo peace process between Israel and the Palestinians; the peace process between Israel and Jordan; and the process surrounding the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. Wolfsfeld's central argument is that there is a fundamental contradiction between news values and the nature of a peace process. This often leads the media to play a destructive role in attempts to make peace, but variations in the political and media environment affect significantly exactly how the media behave. Wolfsfeld shows how the media played a mainly destructive role in the Oslo peace process, but were more constructive during the Israel-Jordan process and in Northern Ireland. |
Contents
Building theory | 8 |
The initial stages of Oslo | 45 |
The Israeli media and the debate over Oslo | 77 |
The Palestinians and the Israeli media | 104 |
The media and the IsraelJordan peace process | 137 |
The media and the struggle for peace in Northern Ireland | 158 |
Common terms and phrases
agreement amount analysis appeared Arab Arafat argued associated attack attempt become Camp David campaign carried chapter Communication concerning consensus considered construction continually countries cover coverage critical deal debate difficult discussed editorials effects election enemy especially example extremely fact forces frame given groups Hamas hand happened images impact important included increase influence initial interest internal interviews Israel Israeli Israeli media Israeli news media Israeli press issue Jordan Jordanian journalists killed lead leaders less look major means negative negotiations Netanyahu newspapers Northern Ireland noted opposition Oslo Palestinians parties peace process percent Peres period play political environment positive Prime Minister problem promote question Rabin reason relations reporters role routines serve side significant similar sources stories strategy success talks terrorism terrorist topic violence waves