Analyzing Regional and Local Media Coverage of the Gaza Conflict

Dr. Nabil Al Khatib, Managing Director of Al Arabiya news network, said Arab television coverage of the 2009 Gaza conflict fell into three categories: state-run outlets that tended to emphasize government support of the Palestinian people, outlets sponsored by militias and political parties sought to mobilize people, and more balanced independent outlets that sought to present a variety of views. Al Khatib offered his observations at a CSIS conference on June 1, 2009. Al Khatib’s comments revealed the “war behind the war” as news stations debated how to cover the violence, as well as the day-to-day technical choices that must be made reporting from a conflict zone.