REPORT: Notes From… Syria journalists
Another in our “Notes From…” series - short notes by volunteers summarizing various events around the school, to help those of us who didn’t/couldn’t attend. Watch for several other “Notes From…” throughout the year (if you have one, send it in! Or let us know in advance that you’d like to do one).
Below, notes from a recent visit by three journalists from Syria. Many thanks to volunteer notes-taker Deena Guzder, J2007. Feel free to drop her a note or post a comment below (free, one-time registration required).
Notes From… Meeting with Syrian Journalists
By Deena Guzder
E-mail: dg2190[at]columbia.edu
ROOM 601B, AUG. 24, 2006 — “I am shocked at the level of ignorance in the US about issues in Syria . . . one would expect people to know more about the Middle East given the fact [Americans] have so many resources at their disposal.”
Three Syrian journalists visiting the US participated in a forum with a group of more than 25 Columbia students and exchanged thoughts on politics, media and careers. These journalists visited Columbia’s Journalism School as part of a U.S. State Department program that brings hundreds of international journalists each year to the U.S. During the hour and a half session, the journalists had an informative, and at times heated, discussion with the students moderated by Dean Sree Sreenivasan. The group used simultaneous Arabic-English translation to communicate with the students.
The seasoned Syrian reporters repeatedly urged fledgling American journalists to be more “objective” and “unbiased” than their predecessors when covering the Arab world. “Americans seem free of the burdens that many [Syrians] have to carry,” noted Mr Huny al-Hamdan who is the editor-in-chief of the privately-owned economic magazine “Money.” He continued, “You would hope [American journalists] would know about our neck or the woods and report it in a fair and balanced fashion.”
Al-Hamdan voiced discontent specifically with Israel’s “continued occupation of parts of Syria” and the Bush Administration’s recent decision to withdraw the US ambassador from Syria, which he said were for reasons “beyond comprehension.” Ms. Razan Toumani, who works for a youth-oriented magazine, echoed these sentiments: “I am surprised by the little degree to which the media brings clarity to the issues in this country. It seems that George Bush says something and everyone in the media parrots it.” Toumani speculated that the alleged unbalance occurs because “the Jewish population in this country highly influences the media.”
Mr. Ibrahim Jabin, editor-in-chief of “Spotlight,” also expressed concern for US foreign policy but was quick to note that there is an unfortunate tendency on both sides to conflate government decisions with those of ordinary people. Jabin acknowledged people in power have perverse incentives to “create conflict” and he urged his audience to make a conscientious decision to distinguish between “what officials say is good for the people and what really is good for the people.” He encouraged Columbia students to stay away from offices and go onto the streets where they can feel the “pulse” of the people.
The tension in the room heightened when Jabin sharply criticized what he called “unconditional US support for Israel,” which drew a response from Shahar Smooha, an Israeli Part-time student and a NY reporter for the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz, who said that Israelis “question the logic of occupation everyday” but Syrians “are not questioning support for Hezbollah or occupying Lebanon or possible involvement in the assassination of Lebanon’s Prime Minister.” The Syrian journalists said they welcomed the question from their “neighbor countryman” but strongly refuted the allegations before adding, “Israelis should ask their government to give back the land they occupy to Syria and to give support to the refugees so we can finally find an end to this ongoing struggle and return to building our civilizations.” A possible protracted dispute over the question of Syria’s alleged involvement in the death of Lebanon’s PM was averted when Sreenivasan suggested that forum participants focus on media-related questions.
The journalists debated the potential value of launching Al Jazeera in the US and agreed that a different perspective on current events would enhance Americans understanding of the Arab world. In response to one student’s question concerning measures journalists should take to promote a lasting peace, Jabin said “I think the most important thing is to concentrate on the facts.” Jabin added that some of his colleagues decided not participate in the US tour as a form of political protest, presumably because of recent fighting in the Middle East and allegedly skewed US coverage of the events.
The latter half of the discussion focused on the media atmosphere in Syria, which the journalists said was gradually liberalizing. They emphasized the ways in which the Internet and “open sky channel” have changed the face of journalism in Syria. Jabin told his audience that, in recent years, several Syrian reporters successfully exposed government corruption. Toumani acknowledged “there are still problems in the Syria” and the free press is “a developing process that is not yet complete.” Toumani added, “I believe that journalists struggle for their rights and we’ll feel honored that we fought for them.”
When asked about the challenges of being a woman journalist in Syria, Toumani said with a half-smile, “That is the traditional American question; I knew it was coming.” Estimating that 40 percent of Syrian journalists are females, Toumani said women are not particularly disadvantaged in the job market but she acknowledged that “it can be more difficult for women because of misconceptions.” She quickly added, “Sometimes it’s better to be a woman because sources are nicer to you.”
When questioned about the imprisonment and subsequent release of a Syrian journalist, Nabil Fayad, all three participants unequivocally criticized their government’s decision to detain a journalist; however, none of them seemed to be a fan of Fayad’s reporting.
Al-Hamdan closed the forum by saying “Journalists must find the truth” and added, “Remember my words: Be objective and not biased.”
In response to a question about job/internship opportunities in their country for Columbia grads, the Syrians suggested checking out the state-run English paper, Syria Times. Students interested in learning more about working in Syria should e-mail the following journalist (referring to the Columbia meeting):
Ibrahim Jabin, editor in chief, Spotlight
E-mail: ibrahimajiabia[at]hotmail.com
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It’s obvious that these “journalists” are simply bringing ostensibly civilized debate to the U.S. with a strong dose of anti-American bias — and act like they’re above it all. It is laughable that these editors call the U.S. press “ignorant” of Syrian issues when many in the Middle East skewer the West and then label it as honest reporting.
The Western news media isn’t perfect, but I doubt any serious reporter or editor would suggest bias here because “the Muslims in this country highly influence the media,” like one of the participants did about her religious counterparts.
Then again, there’s always the opportunity to work for state-run media. I’m sure Joseph Pulitzer would be proud.
What a joke.
Comment by anonblogposter — August 30, 2006 @ 2:11 am