One of the most sobering realisations to come out of the recent ‘Israel in the Media’ online course, run by Melton, was this: there are audiences who will never be open to hearing Israel’s side of the story – no matter how compelling or factual it is.
“But that doesn’t mean we give up,” said course facilitator and veteran Middle East correspondent, Paula Slier. “The real opportunity is with the undecided – those who are genuinely curious, confused, or open to hearing more nuanced perspectives. To reach this middle ground, media training is essential.”
The five-week online series of interactive sessions attracted local and international students, ranging from professionals to armchair media critics. It tackled how bias creeps into reporting – through headlines, loaded language, image selection, the omission of context, or blatant editorial policy. Media tactics to corner, discredit or silence pro-Israel voices were highlighted, including traps that shame interviewees into silence, drawing a false balance between two unequal sides, using Jewish voices against Israel and downplaying Israeli suffering.
Guest speakers included a Gazan journalist, who, despite claiming neutrality, came across as indistinguishable from a Hamas spokesperson – revealing the blurred lines between journalism and propaganda.
A South African journalist candidly admitted that many reporters were “lazy” when it came to understanding the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said it was vital that a broader range of voices – not just traditional spokespeople but professionals respected in their fields – speak about Israel. “Avoid a posture of blind defence,” he advised.
Philippa Levitt, one of the course participants, said: “The course was excellent and well worth the time. It was a panoramic view of disparate voices in the media space – and I left so much better informed and well equipped to consume media, armed with the necessary tools to identify how reports are manipulated to serve certain agendas.”
Effective advocacy, stressed Slier, started with having a few focused messages in mind. “It’s the interviewee – and not the interviewer – who has the real power. People don’t realise this. You can learn how to take control of an interview so that it doesn’t matter what you’re asked, you still land your point.”
Because advocacy isn’t only about being right – it’s about being heard. ●
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