Middle East Council on Global Affairs Panel: “Shaping Public Opinion On Gaza”
On January 15th, 2024, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs organized a panel focused on Gaza. During the event, Dima Khatib discussed the influence of social media on shaping public opinion, Professor Ibrahim Abusharif delved into the significance of framing and its impact, and lastly, Professor Marc Owen Jones explored the issues of misinformation and disinformation related to the current situation in Palestine.
As I sat and listened to the diverse ways through which public opinion is molded, be it through social media or traditional news outlets, one particular conversation has become permanently etched in my mind.
The discussion occurred during the segment dedicated to framing in regards to Palestine. Professor Abusharif, an associate professor in the Journalism and Strategic Communication Program at Northwestern University in Qatar, where he answered questions moderated by Sahar Khamis.
Before delving into the thoughts that ruminated within my mind during the panel, it’s essential to provide some context. As evident from the developments in Palestine, there has been a notable increase in journalists reporting from the ground, documenting the ongoing genocide. This has reached a point, where they find the need to humanize themselves, especially in the face of Israel’s cruelty both before and after October 7, 2023.
Fast forward to the present day, it has been 101 days since the aggression. Throughout this period, we have witnessed numerous videos from Palestinian journalists earnestly appealing to the world, in particular the Western world that they’re going through an ethnic cleansing, emphasizing that they are more than mere statistics; they are individuals with hopes, dreams, passions, and aspirations.
What the Palestinians are engaging in is known as humanization — a process where they showcase their shared humanity, highlighting that they, too, are individuals cut from the same cloth. This effort is particularly significant, considering the prevalent dehumanization of Arabs in the West that permeates through every form of media they tend to produce.
This process of humanization, although valid, appears perplexing, particularly when Abusharif highlights the absurdity of consistently seeking approval from the West. “We’re always trying to convince the West of how good we are. I mean, look at humanizing Palestinians — what a ridiculous requirement that we have to humanize people who are clearly already human.” said Abusharif.
After his response, it became evident just how much effort Palestinians have invested to show the West they deserve a chance at life. The situation reached a point where 9-year-old journalist, Lama Jamous, matured rapidly to humanize Palestinian children. Jamous has emerged as a powerful symbol of resilience, highlighting the harsh reality that a child is compelled to depict the shared humanity of her people. While admirable, it raises concerns — no child or human should bear the burden of advocating for their basic humanity, a right that should be inherent and unquestionable.
The act of emphasizing the shared humanity of Palestinians through humanization raises an inherent paradox — the need to assert a fundamental truth: that they are, unequivocally, human beings.
In a journalistic context, the very act of humanizing implies a response to a prevailing narrative that devalues this basic reality. The question that arises is why should there be a necessity to reaffirm humanity when it should be an unquestionable given?
Such efforts, though understandable in the face of biases and stereotypes, prompt a critical reflection on the state of discourse and the urgent need for a more accurate and unbiased portrayal of individuals who are, at their core, human. The implicit message is straightforward: recognizing the humanity of individuals should be universal, rather than a prerequisite, a point often overlooked by the West.
In the light of these reflections, the primary message conveyed by this panel stresses that the West should not monopolize journalism; rather, regional media requires a “rebirth” to reassert control over the narrative. The primary hindrance lies in the regulations imposed on media, serving as a significant obstacle, especially when it comes to the GCC regions. “Ultimately, there has to be an expansion in free media in the region,” said Abusharif. Once media is liberated from the constraints of its regulations, it has the potential to effectively challenge and reshape Western media narratives, as Abusharif envisions, particularly regarding the influence the West holds over global media narratives.
As we reflect on these insights from the panelists, it is evident that the path forward necessitates a rejuvenated regional media and a shared commitment to impartial portrayal, transcending biases within the Palestinian narrative.
